Team Hazira successfully supplied rail rakes of 3,300 KL volume of NATO Grade HSD to Indian Navy during COVID-19 pandemic on 9 May 2020. Amidst the Lockdown 2.0 period, Team Hazira received an urgent requirement from IOC for Indian Navy to supply special NATO grade HFHSD in view of Samudra SETU mission to repatriate expatriates stranded in neighbouring countries due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
However, due to increased and urgent demand from Indian Navy, Team Hazira once again rose to the occasion of enhanced responsibilities amidst the pandemic with limited manpower availability and supplied the desired volume on 23rd May 2020. Team Hazira have further committed to meet their five TMT requirement of June 2020, also. It is worth mentioning that for both the rail rakes, the product was made ready in around 10 days and factoring sampling and testing, the requisite quantity was supplied to IOC terminal at Rajkot.
NATO grade HSD is a special grade HFHSD with stringent quality requirement for which our Plant is not designed. Moreover, the Naphtha processing unit operates on rundown condition without any upfront stabilization and thus brings a challenge of producing a quality product in fluctuating feed conditions and avoid off-spec product.
They have created history in despatching 9,105 KL as on 25 May 2020 and it may reach five figures for the first time against average dispatch of 6,500 KL per month before the COVID-19 pandemic. This is being achieved in spite of reduced off-take and demand from Assets and Nhava with constraints in movement of TTs by road.
It is indeed a proud moment for ONGC to support the energy needs of the Indian Defence Forces – Indian Navy during peace time, especially navigating successfully amidst challenging times to meet their rigid delivery timelines. The upgraded specifications of NATO grade HFHSD supplied to Indian Naval ships conforms to MIL DTL 16844M specifications, which is considered the benchmark standard across the world.
The fuel possesses the best rheological and detergent characteristics validated against most stringent military specifications, resulting in better performance of the engines. The customised NATO grade HFHSD has the unique combination of low Pour Point and Cold Filter Plugging Point (CFPP), High Flash Point and very low Colour Index and Metal content. It has the highest Cetane Number amongst all marine diesel fuel in terms of Fuel Hygiene parameters and other critical properties.
As NATO grade specifications are stringent, out of 23 parameters to be tested, 18 are tested at QPCL, Hazira and five critical parameters like metal content, Demulsification Cloud Point, Hydrogen content and Cetane Index as mandated by Indian Navy needs to be certified by outside laboratory based in Mumbai. It needs to be highlighted that notwithstanding lockdown, samples were sent to Mumbai for requisite certification with due facilitation by Plant Head, requiring close coordination of Statutory authorities for requisite approval, as the sample had to be sent through a ‘Special Vehicle’ with CISF personnel by road on both occasions. The effort of Operations, Marketing and QPCL under the active leadership of Plant Head, has resulted in development of high-performance product without any additional cost to the company. Team Hazira remains committed to continually bring forth products and processes to meet the future needs of the country and feel proud to be part of Government of India facilitated Samudra Setu mission of Indian Navy.
