MRPL fire cancels fuel export tenders; stock dips 10%

What happened at MRPL’s Mangaluru refinery

India’s state-run Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd (MRPL) reported a fire at its Mangaluru refinery in southern India after an incident at a processing unit. The company said the incident involved a rupture of a Cold Separator operating at high pressure in the Coker Hydrotreater Unit. MRPL said the fire was brought under control, though firefighting operations could continue for some time as part of safe handling.

The incident drew attention because MRPL is a key public-sector refiner and because the event was linked to operational disruption in at least one unit. MRPL said the coker hydrotreater unit was affected, while the rest of the refinery was operating normally. The company also said the affected unit was immediately isolated and that emergency response and firefighting teams were deployed to contain the blaze.

Where the incident occurred: the Coker Hydrotreater unit

MRPL’s statements and media reports consistently pointed to the Coker Hydrotreater section as the location of the incident. Reuters reported the fire occurred at the coker hydrotreater at around 0730 GMT. Other reports described a blast and subsequent fire at the Coker Hydro Treating Unit (CHTU) in MRPL’s Phase-III complex near Jokatte in Mangaluru.

The event was widely described as an explosion-like sound followed by heavy smoke. Local accounts cited by media outlets said a loud blast was heard and thick black smoke rose from the refinery premises, visible from several kilometres away. Some reports also said the impact was felt in nearby areas, with claims of doors and windows vibrating and window panes damaged at the Jokatte gram panchayat building.

Export tenders cancelled: diesel, jet fuel, reformate

Following the incident, MRPL cancelled three spot export tenders for refined products. According to Reuters, the company notified buyers that it had withdrawn tenders to export diesel, jet fuel and reformate later in the month. The cancellations were conveyed through three company notices.

The withdrawal matters for market participants because spot tenders are closely watched in regional product flows. While the article material does not quantify the volumes involved in the tenders, the cancellation itself indicates immediate uncertainty around product availability from MRPL for those scheduled export windows.

Injuries: company statement vs police and media reports

MRPL said one person was injured in the incident, and later updates cited by media said the injured person was out of danger and receiving medical attention. MRPL also said no major injuries were reported and that safety of personnel and the facility remained its highest priority. The company sought to calm concerns, stating there was “absolutely no reason to panic” for people within or outside its premises, and said it would share further verified information as it became available.

However, police and other reports described a higher injury count. City Police Commissioner Sudheer Kumar Reddy was cited saying two people were seriously injured, while six others suffered minor injuries. Separate reports also said a contract labourer, identified as Rajesh Baptist, suffered burn injuries covering around 35% of the body and was shifted to Srinivasa Hospital for treatment in the ICU, with doctors saying he was out of danger. Another set of reports said eight people suffered minor injuries.

Because the reported numbers differ across sources, investors and local stakeholders typically look to subsequent exchange filings and official updates for reconciled information.

Operations and capacity: what MRPL said about the refinery

MRPL operates a large refining complex in Mangaluru. Reuters described the refinery as a 300,000 barrels per day facility. The company is a subsidiary of state-owned Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) and owns and operates a refinery with a capacity of 15 million tonnes per annum.

In its communication, MRPL said only the coker hydrotreater unit was affected by the incident and that the rest of the refinery was operating normally. That distinction is important because any unit outage can affect product yields and intermediate streams, even if overall site operations continue.

Emergency response and firefighting actions

MRPL said the affected unit was immediately isolated and emergency response and firefighting teams were deployed to contain the blaze. Media reports added that fire tenders from the city were sent to the spot, and some coverage referenced support from multiple local stations.

A BSE-sourced press release item circulating in the article text described multiple responders and said the fire was successfully brought under control. Reports also noted that thick smoke was seen during the event and that firefighting continued after the fire was contained as part of safe handling.

Stock reaction: sharp intraday swing after the incident

MRPL shares saw a sharp intraday move after reports of the incident. The stock touched a day’s high of ₹180.75, then fell to an intraday low of ₹162.40 at 1:50 pm, a drop of ₹18.35 or 10.15% from the day’s high, according to the cited market data.

Later updates in the article text showed the stock recovering from the lows but remaining down on the day. At around 3:17 pm, MRPL was reported at ₹169.28, down 1.38% from the previous close. Another update said the stock was last seen at ₹167.80, down ₹3.90 or 2.27%, with the company’s market capitalisation at ₹29,408.61 crore.

Key facts at a glance

Why the incident matters for product markets and stakeholders

For refined product markets, the clearest immediate signal was the cancellation of spot export tenders for diesel, jet fuel and reformate. Spot tender activity is often used by traders and buyers to gauge near-term availability, and a sudden withdrawal can change procurement plans for counterparties expecting those cargoes.

For local communities, reports described a loud blast and smoke that was visible from a distance, prompting public concern. MRPL’s “no reason to panic” message and its emphasis on safety protocols were aimed at reassurance, while officials said precautionary measures were being taken.

For investors, the intraday share-price swing reflected uncertainty around operational disruption, potential repair timelines, and the extent of damage, which were still being assessed in the reporting.

What to watch next

The article text indicates that the exact cause and extent of damage were still being assessed, with some reports stating a technical investigation would determine the cause. MRPL also said it would provide further verified information as it becomes available.

Market participants will typically watch for exchange filings on estimated timelines for repairs, the operational status of the affected unit, and any implications for refinery throughput or product supply commitments.

Conclusion

MRPL reported a fire at its Coker Hydrotreater unit after a high-pressure Cold Separator rupture and cancelled three spot export tenders for diesel, jet fuel and reformate. While the company said the fire is under control and the rest of the refinery is operating normally, reported injury counts varied across sources. The next updates are likely to come through verified company disclosures and official assessments on the cause and repair timeline.