Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) was formed in 1974 through the nationalization and merger of Esso Standard Refining Company of India Ltd (est. 1952) and Lube India Ltd, later incorporating Caltex Oil Refining (India) Ltd in 1978. As a Maharatna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU), it operates major refineries in Mumbai and Visakhapatnam. 

Key Milestones in HPCL History:

• 1910s–1950s: Marketing operations began via Standard Oil Company of New York; Standard Vacuum Refining Company of India Ltd. was incorporated in 1952.
• 1974: Government of India nationalized Esso Standard Refining Company, forming HPCL.
• 1976-1978: Caltex Oil Refining (India) Ltd was taken over and merged with HPCL.
• 1979: Kosan Gas Company, a major player in the domestic LPG market, merged with HPCL.
• 1985: Commissioned the Mumbai-Pune Pipeline.
• 1992: Became the first Public Sector Enterprise (PSE) to be listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).
• 1997: Conferred with Navratna status.
• 2012: Commissioned the 9 MMTPA Guru Gobind Singh Refinery at Bathinda, a joint venture.
• 2019: Achieved Maharatna status.
• 2020s: Continued expansion, including commissioning a Residue Upgradation Facility in 2026. 

HPCL operates under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and has grown to be a Fortune 500 company with a significant market share in petroleum products, lubricants, and LPG.