India will focus on the north-eastern region to expand its hydrocarbon and petrochemical industries with an eye on markets such as Bangladesh, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar and Thailand, as per a new vision 2030 document for developing the region as a petroleum hub. The plan also proposes expanding fuel marketing infrastructure in the region and opening up retailing facilities in neighbouring countries with local partners.

A three-fold increase in the three million tonne a year refinery capacity of Numaligarh Refinery Ltd (NRL), owned by Bharat Petroleum Corp. Ltd (BPCL), Oil India Ltd(OIL) and the Assam government, is a highlight of the plan. The project entails a cost of about Rs.19,000 crores.

At present, India has a refining capacity of 215 million tonnes a year, dominated by state-run companies. Private players Reliance Industries and Essar produce 80 million tonnes from their facilities in Gujarat.

The new pipeline network, part of which would go through Bangladesh under a transit agreement, is expected to connect the entire north-east region with the rest of the country.