Numaligarh, Assam: In a landmark achievement for India’s energy and infrastructure sectors, the Numaligarh Refinery Expansion Project (NREP) has successfully installed a massive Vacuum Tower at its Residue Upgradation Process Technology Unit (RPTU) – a critical engineering and logistics milestone that brings the project significantly closer to completion.
The Vacuum Tower, weighing 375 metric tonnes, measuring 57 meters in length with a maximum diameter of 8.5 meters, was installed atop a 32-meter-high structure, underscoring the scale and complexity of the operation.
High-Precision Lifting Operation Executed Seamlessly
The installation was carried out using a 1600 MT EAD crawler crane, supported by a 600 MT trail crane, in a meticulously coordinated high-precision lifting operation. The success of this task is a testament to the exceptional engineering capabilities and coordination of the NREP execution team.
Multimodal Transport from Gujarat to Assam Showcases Logistics Evolution
The Vacuum Tower was transported from Bharuch, Gujarat to Numaligarh, Assam, using inland waterways – an approach that aligns with India’s focus on sustainable, cost-effective, and efficient multimodal logistics.
This complex over-dimensional cargo movement not only reduced roadway dependency but also highlighted India’s maturing inland water transport infrastructure. The successful delivery exemplifies the synergy between logistics planning, maritime coordination, and engineering execution.
Talking about this major development, Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, shared on social media- “A major milestone in India’s energy infrastructure journey! A 375 MT, 57-meter-tall vacuum tower was successfully installed atop a 32-meter-high structure at the Residue Processing & Treating Unit under the Numaligarh Refinery Expansion Project (NREP).“
At ₹33,901 crore, #NREP is one of the largest industrial investments in Northeast India. It will increase the refining capacity of @NRL_MoPNG threefold—from 3 to 9 MMTPA. This project will provide a strong boost to India’s journey toward energy self-reliance.”
A major milestone in India’s energy infrastructure journey!
— Hardeep Singh Puri (@HardeepSPuri) June 20, 2025
नुमालीगढ़ रिफाइनरी विस्तार परियोजना (NREP) के तहत Residue Processing & Treating Unit में 32 मीटर ऊंची संरचना के ऊपर 375 मीट्रिक टन का, 57 मीटर लंबा वैक्यूम टॉवर सफलतापूर्वक स्थापित किया गया।
₹33,901 करोड़ के साथ,… pic.twitter.com/RIjeSgHnVO
Ministries and Government Stakeholders Applauded
Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL) extended its heartfelt appreciation to the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, the Government of Assam, and particularly the Ministry of Shipping, whose coordinated support was crucial in facilitating the safe and timely transportation of the massive component.
Paving the Way for India’s Energy Infrastructure Future
This milestone reaffirms the technological and logistical capabilities powering the NREP, a flagship expansion initiative aimed at increasing NRL’s refining capacity and technological advancement. The successful Vacuum Tower installation brings NRL one step closer to achieving its vision of modernization and self-reliance in the refining sector.
About NRL
Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL), a Schedule ‘A’ Miniratna-I CPSE, is a public sector oil refinery under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, according to a company profile. It was incorporated on April 22, 1993, and is a subsidiary of Oil India Limited, with 69.63% shareholding. NRL’s main function is crude oil refining and the marketing of petroleum products.
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