Based on the progress made to date in the engineering, procurement and construction activities, Reliance Petroleum Limited (RPL) expects to complete the project ahead of December 2008.

Engineering is nearing completion, with all drawings for concreting, structural steel and underground piping and over 90% of electrical and instrumentation released for construction. The construction activities have also peaked with aggregate volume of concrete poured at the project site crossing the 1.5 million cubic meter mark during the quarter.

Most of the civil work is complete. This has enabled structural steel/pipe erection and equipment installation activities to progress rapidly as well. Over 20% of equipments are installed and over 40% of project scope for pipe laying and erection is complete. Underground piping is nearing closeout. Nearly 75% of structural steel fabrication, 85% of tankage fabrication and over 60% of pipe fabrication work has also been completed.

Mukesh Ambani, chairman of Reliance Petroleum, said: I would like to compliment the entire RPL team on the remarkable progress made so far and preparedness for the tasks ahead. The team is fully geared up and motivated to commission the refinery ahead of its initial schedule of December 2008. RPL is poised to create a new world record for project implementation in the refining sector.