Essar Energy PLC has completed the optimization of its recently expanded Vadinar refinery in Gujarat, India, pushing crude capacity to 405,000 b/d.

The privately held Indian company completed an expansion in March that boosted capacity to 375,000 b/d from 300,000 b/d (OGJ Online, Mar. 30, 2012).

The optimization project, completed 4 months ahead of schedule, included conversion of a visbreaker into a crude distillation unit able to process extra-heavy feedstock.

The refinery now can handle feeds of as much as 60% ultraheavy crude and 80% heavy plus ultraheavy.

Nearly 80% of its output can be light and middle distillates, and more than 50% of its diesel and gasoline will meet Euro IV and Euro V standards.