Rating Rationale
June 19, 2020 | Mumbai
Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited
'CRISIL AAA/Stable' assigned to NCD
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.5302.9 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
 
Rs.1000 Crore Non Convertible Debentures CRISIL AAA/Stable (Assigned)
Rs.1500 Crore Non Convertible Debentures CRISIL AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Rs.6000 Crore Commercial Paper CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has assigned its 'CRISIL AAA/Stable' rating to the Rs 1,000 crore NCDs of Chennai Petroleum Corporation Limited (CPCL), and reaffirmed the outstanding ratings on the debt instruments and bank facilities at 'CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'.
 
The ratings continue to reflect the strong operational, managerial, and financial support CPCL derives from its parent, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd (IOCL; 'CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'). While operating performance and subsequent financial risk profile have weakened with the heavy inventory losses incurred in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020, performance is expected to rebound in fiscal 2021 with gradual lifting of lockdown. Operating performance also remains susceptible to volatility in crude oil prices.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at its ratings, CRISIL has centrally factored in the strong business and financial linkages with the parent. IOCL infused Rs 1,000 crore in fiscal 2016 through subscription of non-convertible, cumulative and redeemable preference shares to support CPCL's capital needs; these shares have been treated as debt. CPCL redeemed Rs 500 crore of these shares in June 2018.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Strong operational, managerial, and financial support from parent
CPCL is of strategic importance to IOCL as the latter has, and will continue to hold a majority stake (51.89% as on March 31, 2020), in the former. The parent has strong representation on CPCL's board, including a common chairman. The company derives operational synergies as IOCL is also in the same business; the synergies include pooled sourcing of crude oil through IOCL, and benefits from the parent's bulk purchase. Furthermore, IOCL buys over 80% of CPCL's output; the company caters to the parent's product requirement in South India. CPCL's sales volumes are therefore not likely to be affected by the presence of any new refinery in the southern region. The company's association with IOCL enhances financial flexibility as it is viewed at par with its parent; CPCL thus enjoys benefits related to pricing of debt facilities, and favourable credit terms.
 
* Moderate financial risk profile
Net borrowing increased to Rs 8,660 crore as on March 31, 2020, from Rs 6,668 crore a year ago, to fund the working capital requirement due to heightened volatility in the crude oil market during the fourth quarter of fiscal 2020. While debt protection metrics were impacted during the end of fiscal 2020, performance is expected to revive in fiscal 2021 once operations begin to normalise. Liquidity is, however, largely supported by CPCL's status as a subsidiary of IOCL, and accordingly its financial flexibility is expected to remain healthy.
 
Weaknesses
* Weakened operating performance
Operating performance declined during fiscal 2020 due to heightened volatility in crude oil prices and lower product cracks realised. CPCL reported an operating loss of Rs 2,056 crore for fiscal 2020 (against Rs 205 crore in fiscal 2019). While the heavy inventory losses of Rs 1,456 crore have majorly impacted the business, product spreads have also remained subdued during the fiscal.
 
Utilisation of the plant averaged 88% in fiscal 2020 (as compared to 93% previously), as one of the units of the Manali refinery was shut down for 25 days during the second quarter for planned maintenance. In the midst of the ongoing pandemic, utilisation improved to 60% in June 2020 from 35% in April 2020. Utilisation rates are further expected to rebound as lockdown restrictions eases out.
 
* Exposure to volatility in crude oil prices
Crude oil prices have been volatile over the past few years. Prices fell sharply to around USD 20 per barrel (bbl) towards end of March 2020, from over USD 69 bbl in the beginning of January 2020. Average inventory of crude oil and finished goods of around 40 days makes CPCL's operating performance vulnerable to fluctuations in valuations of inventory stock. CPCL currently imports most of its crude oil requirement from the Middle East. Large import dependence also exposes CPCL to volatility in foreign exchange rates.
Liquidity Superior

Financial flexibility remains healthy, backed by the strong funding support received from IOCL. On an average, CPCL reports healthy cash accrual of Rs 1,000 crore, although performance has weakened recently. There are no debt repayment due in fiscal 2021. Furthermore, fund-based limit of Rs 4,000 crore has been utilised minimally.

Outlook: Stable

The 'Stable' outlook reflects CRISIL's rating outlook on CPCL's parent. The company's status as a subsidiary of IOCL enhances its competitive position in the domestic market. IOCL extends financial and management support to CPCL, and provides assured offtake for around 80% of the latter's finished products.

Rating Sensitivity Factors
Downward Factors
* Downgrade in the credit ratings of IOCL by at least one notch
* Higher-than-expected and sustained deterioration in CPCL's standalone performance.

About the Company

CPCL was incorporated as Madras Refineries Ltd in 1965, a joint venture between the Government of India, National Iranian Oil Co (NIOC), and American Oil Co (a wholly owned subsidiary of the US-based Standard Oil Co). In March 2001, IOCL acquired the government's equity stake for Rs 510 crore and NIOC transferred its stake to its affiliate, Naftiran Intertrade Co Ltd (NICL), in July 2003. Currently, IOCL holds 51.89% stake in CPCL while NICL holds 15.40%; the remainder is held by financial institutions, corporate bodies, the general public and others.
 
CPCL has a total refining capacity of 11.5 million tonne per annum (mtpa), with 10.5 mtpa and 1.0 mtpa at Manali and Nagapattinam, respectively (both in Tamil Nadu). The company produces petroleum products, lubricants, and additives. CPCL also provides high-quality feedstock such as propylene, superior kerosene, butylenes, naphtha, paraffin wax, and sulphur to other industries.
 
CPCL has a high Nelson complexity index (NCI) of 9.5 (refineries with high NCI have the necessary flexibility to process a variety of crude oils and can record high value addition).

Key Financial Indicators
As on/for the period ended Mar 31 2020* 2019
Revenue Rs.Crore 37,190 41,389
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs.Crore -2056 -205
PAT Margins % -5.5 -0.5
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 7.42 2.00
Interest coverage Times -5.02 1.38
*Provisional financials

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments. The CRISIL complexity levels are available on www.crisil.com/complexity-levels. Users are advised to refer to the CRISIL complexity levels for instruments that they consider for investment. Users may also call the Customer Service Helpdesk with queries on specific instruments.
Annexure - Details of Instrument(s)
ISIN Name of Instrument Date of Allotment Coupon Rate (%) Maturity Date Issue Size (Rs.Cr) Rating Assigned with Outlook
NA Cash credit NA NA NA 2500.0 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Letter of credit & bank guarantee NA NA NA 184.0 CRISIL A1+
NA Packing credit* NA NA NA 1500.0 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Proposed short-term bank loan facility NA NA NA 873.9 CRISIL A1+
NA Proposed long term bank loan facility NA NA NA 245.0 CRISIL AAA/Stable
INE178A08011 Non-Convertible Debentures 28-Feb-2020 6.43% 28-Feb-2023 1500.0 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Non-Convertible Debentures$ NA NA NA 1000.0 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Commercial Paper NA NA 7-365 days 6000.0 CRISIL A1+
*One way interchangeability with CC
$Not yet placed
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2020 (History) 2019  2018  2017  Start of 2017
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Commercial Paper  ST  6000.00  CRISIL A1+  09-01-20  CRISIL A1+  26-11-19  CRISIL A1+  16-11-18  CRISIL A1+  10-11-17  CRISIL A1+  -- 
                30-04-18  CRISIL A1+  28-09-17  CRISIL A1+   
Non Convertible Debentures  LT  1500.00
19-06-20 
CRISIL AAA/Stable  09-01-20  CRISIL AAA/Stable  26-11-19  CRISIL AAA/Stable  16-11-18  CRISIL AAA/Stable  10-11-17  CRISIL AAA/Stable  CRISIL AAA/Stable 
                30-04-18  CRISIL AAA/Stable  28-09-17  CRISIL AAA/Stable   
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  5118.90  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  09-01-20  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  26-11-19  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  16-11-18  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  10-11-17  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+ 
                30-04-18  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  28-09-17  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+   
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  184.00  CRISIL A1+  09-01-20  CRISIL A1+  26-11-19  CRISIL A1+  16-11-18  CRISIL A1+  10-11-17  CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A1+ 
                30-04-18  CRISIL A1+  28-09-17  CRISIL A1+   
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Annexure - Details of various bank facilities
Current facilities Previous facilities
Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating Facility Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Cash Credit 2500 CRISIL AAA/Stable Cash Credit 2500 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 184 CRISIL A1+ Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 184 CRISIL A1+
Packing Credit* 1500 CRISIL AAA/Stable Packing Credit* 1500 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 245 CRISIL AAA/Stable Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 245 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Proposed Short Term Bank Loan Facility 873.9 CRISIL A1+ Proposed Short Term Bank Loan Facility 873.9 CRISIL A1+
Total 5302.9 -- Total 5302.9 --
*One-way interchangeability with cash credit
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
Rating Criteria for Petrochemical Industry
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt
Criteria for Notching up Stand Alone Ratings of Companies based on Parent Support

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