Rating Rationale
September 04, 2020 | Mumbai
Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited
'CRISIL AAA/Stable' assigned to NCD
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities RatedRs.45000 Crore
Long Term RatingCRISIL AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Short Term RatingCRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
 
Rs.6000 Crore Non Convertible DebenturesCRISIL AAA/Stable (Assigned)
Fixed DepositsF AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Rs.3000 Crore Non Convertible DebenturesCRISIL AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Rs.2000 Crore Non Convertible DebenturesCRISIL AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Rs.2500 Crore Non Convertible DebenturesCRISIL AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Rs.4000 Crore Non Convertible DebenturesCRISIL AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Rs.15000 Crore Commercial PaperCRISIL 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 6,000 crore non-convertible debenture (NCD) issue of Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) and has reaffirmed its 'CRISIL AAA/FAAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+' ratings on the company's bank facilities and other debt programmes.
 
HPCL remains strategically important to the Government of India (GoI) along with other oil marketing companies (OMCs), given the role these entities play in India's economic development. The ratings, therefore, continue to reflect HPCL's strategic importance and expectation of continued support from GoI. The ratings also factor in the company's established market position in the oil refining and marketing sector. These strengths are partially offset by exposure to project implementation risks, average financial risk profile, and limited pricing flexibility for superior kerosene oil (SKO) and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
 
While demand for petroleum products declined on account of the lockdown since March 2020, rebound in demand in June 2020 and strong marketing gains enabled HPCL to clock healthy operating profit in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, partly offset by weak refining margin. Both refineries of HPCL are now running at full capacity.

Analytical Approach

For arriving at the ratings, CRISIL has combined the business and financial risk profiles of HPCL and its subsidiaries and joint ventures (JVs). The subsidiaries have been fully consolidated, and the JVs have been proportionately consolidated. The subsidiaries and JVs are strategically important to HPCL as they reduce dependence on other refiners to source products for retail operations. Furthermore, the ratings factor in support received from the government, with managerial control and majority ownership through Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC), a public sector undertaking of GoI.

Please refer Annexure - List of Entities Consolidated, which captures the list of entities considered and their analytical treatment of consolidation.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Strategic importance of HPCL and continued support from GoI
Oil refining and marketing is strategic for India's economic development. Currently, OMCs dominate the Indian market for key petroleum products, such as motor sprits, high-speed diesel, SKO and LPG. Unhindered supply of these products in the domestic market is contingent on the smooth functioning of OMCs, such as HPCL. The company should, therefore, remain strategically important to GoI, and continue to play a key role in implementing the government's socio-economic policies.

GoI supports OMCs through budgeted subsidies and discounts from upstream companies, minimising their sales-related under-recovery burden. On account of de-regulation of diesel, favourable crude prices and reduced consumption of subsidised LPG, under-recoveries of OMCs have declined significantly. The government will continue to support HPCL by absorbing a large portion of the latter's sales-related under-recoveries, if any. Any change in the adequacy and timeliness of support from GoI will remain a key monitorable over the medium term.

* Established position in the oil refining and marketing sector
HPCL had a refining capacity share of 10.8%, and held 21% of India's petroleum product pipelines as on June 30, 2020. The coastal location of the refineries provides logistical advantages for the import of crude oil and export of petroleum products. Both refineries, Mumbai and Vishakhapatnam, have maintained healthy energy consumption levels. Market position is underpinned by an entrenched marketing and distribution infrastructure, with 16,707 retail outlets. The company had a network of 6,129 LPG distributors as on June 30, 2020. Furthermore, aggressive branding and marketing exercises have been undertaken to expand the retail network. These initiatives should help maintain the strong brand position in the Indian petroleum market.

Weaknesses
* Average financial risk profile
Consolidated gearing was at 1.41 times as on March 31, 2020, on account of higher capital requirement. In this context, the timeliness of budgetary support from GoI remains critical. Core gross refining margin for the first quarter of fiscal 2021 declined to negative USD 0.9 per barrel from USD 3.3 per barrel (Q1FY20) on account of lower product spreads and fluctuations in inventory value due to sharp movement in crude prices. Nevertheless, product marketing margins have remained strong, providing support to overall profitability.  Moreover, completion of the ongoing modernisation and expansion of current refineries should enhance profitability going forward.

* Exposure to project implementation risks, given the large investment plans
The company is undertaking several projects, including modernisation and capacity expansion at the Mumbai and Visakhapatnam refineries, setting up a greenfield refinery in Barmer, Rajasthan, modernisation and augmentation of the pipeline infrastructure, and expansion in the natural gas sector. HPCL's experience in implementing and operating large projects should hold the company in good stead. Nevertheless, project cost and timelines, and stabilisation of operations after completion will continue to be key monitorables.

* Limited pricing flexibility for SKO and LPG
The company has under-recoveries on account of controlled prices of SKO and LPG in the domestic market. While GoI has provided budgetary support, the absence of an institutionalised mechanism to meet under-recoveries has delayed subsidy receipts in the past. This risk is partially offset by de-regularisation of the price of diesel (which was a major contributor to under-recoveries) and the implementation of the Direct Benefit Transfer scheme (DBT; or Pratyaksha Hastaantarit Laabh  [PAHAL]) for LPG. In addition, there has been a sharp decline in kerosene consumption on account of increased LPG penetration. These initiatives should help streamline the mechanism for meeting under-recoveries. However, timely receipt of subsidies and a well-defined institutionalised mechanism will be necessary for sustaining the financial health of the sector in the long term.
Liquidity Superior

HPCL, a Maharatna company, has strong financial flexibility, driven by support from the GoI. The company's portfolio of oil bonds, large unutilised bank limit, and access to low-cost funds from both domestic and overseas markets can help raise resources when needed. Capital expenditure of Rs 12000 crore in fiscal 2021 is likely to be met through internal accrual and external borrowing. Long-term debt obligation is expected at Rs 4,359 crore in fiscal 2021 and Rs 750 crore in fiscal 2022, which will be funded through operational cash flow. As on June 30 2020, the company has GOI bonds of ~ Rs 5500 crore as liquid investments. Of the fund based limits of Rs 28000 crore, the average utilization level is  in the range of 35-40% for the past 12 months (ending June 2020).

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes HPCL will continue to benefit from its established market position in the oil refining and marketing sector, and support from the GoI owing to its strategic and economic importance.
 
Rating Sensitivity Factors
Downward Factors
* Significant increase in sales under-recoveries on account of adverse fluctuation in crude oil price and foreign exchange rates, with inadequate pass-through in retail price or compensation from GoI
* Change in the support philosophy of GoI
* Reduction in ONGC's shareholding below 50%.

About the Company

HPCL was established in 1974 following the nationalisation and amalgamation of Esso Eastern Inc and Lubes India Ltd with the takeover of Caltex Oil Refining (India) Ltd. In January 2018, ONGC acquired 51.11% stake in HPCL from GoI. HPCL is an integrated refining and marketing company. It has substantial oil marketing operations, and is the third-largest oil refining and marketing company in India. It operates a refinery in Mumbai, which has installed capacity of 7.5 MTPA, and a refinery in Visakhapatnam with installed capacity of 8.3 MTPA; these refineries account for 6.3% of the country's total installed capacity. The company also has an 11.3 MTPA refinery in Bathinda, Punjab, through a JV with Singapore-based Mittal Energy Investments Pvt Ltd. HPCL is setting up a grass-root greenfield refinery-cum-petrochemical complex, with capacity of 9 MTPA in Barmer through HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Ltd ('CRISIL AA/Stable'), a JV with the Government of Rajasthan. HPCL has a wide distribution and marketing infrastructure network, including a network of cross-country pipelines, terminals, depots and 16,707 retail outlets.

Key Financial Indicators*
As on/for the period ended March 31 Unit 2020^ 2019
Revenue Rs.Crore 2,69,091 2,75,473
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs.Crore 2639 6,691
PAT Margin % 0.98 2.4
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 1.41 0.94
Interest coverage Times 6.45 17.71

*Numbers reflect analytical adjustments made by CRISIL Ratings
^Abridged numbers

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL Ratings' complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments. The CRISIL Ratings' complexity levels are available on www.crisil.com/complexity-levels. Users are advised to refer to the CRISIL Ratings' 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.Crore) Complexity level Rating assigned
with outlook
NA Debentures^ NA NA NA 6,000 NA CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Debentures^ NA NA NA 2,800 NA CRISIL AAA/Stable
INE094A08077 Debentures 04-Aug-20 5.36% 11-Apr-25 1,200 Simple CRISIL AAA/Stable
INE094A08069 Debentures 06-Mar-20 7.03% 12-Apr-30 1,400 Simple CRISIL AAA/Stable
INE094A08051 Debentures 28-Jan-20 6.38% 12-Apr-23 600 Simple CRISIL AAA/Stable
INE094A08044 Debentures 15-Oct-19 6.80% 15-Dec-22 3,000 Simple CRISIL AAA/Stable
INE094A08036 Debentures 14-Aug-19 7.00% 14-Aug-24 2,000 Simple CRISIL AAA/Stable
INE094A08028 Debentures 25-Apr-19 8.00% 25-Apr-24 500 Simple CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Commercial Paper NA NA 7-365 days 15000 Simple CRISIL A1+
NA Fixed Deposits NA NA NA NA Simple FAAA/Stable
NA Cash Credit NA NA NA 4000 NA CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Fund-Based Facilities NA NA NA 24000 NA CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Non-Fund-Based Limit NA NA NA 17000 NA CRISIL A1+
^Yet to be issued
 
Annexure - List of Entities Consolidated
Company % of shareholding Consolidation
Aavantika Gas Ltd 49.99% Joint venture
Bhagyanagar Gas Ltd 24.99% Joint venture
Godavari Gas Pvt Ltd 26.00% Joint venture
GSPL India Gasnet Ltd 11.00% Associate
GSPL India Transco Ltd 11.00% Associate
Hindustan Colas Pvt Ltd 50.00% Joint venture
HPCL Biofuels Ltd 100.00% Subsidiary
HPCL Middle East FZCO 100.00% Subsidiary
HPCL Rajasthan Refinery Ltd 74.00% Joint venture
HPCL Shapoorji Energy Pvt Ltd 50.00% Joint venture
HPCL-Mittal Energy Ltd 48.99% Joint venture
IHB Private Ltd 25.00% Joint venture
Mangalore Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd 16.96% Associate
Mumbai Aviation Fuel Farm Facility Pvt Ltd 25.00% Joint venture
Petronet MHB Ltd 50.00% Joint Venture
Prize Petroleum Co Ltd 100.00% Subsidiary
Ratnagiri Refinery and Petrochemicals Ltd 25.00% Joint venture
South Asia LPG Company Pvt Ltd 50.00% Joint venture
HPOIL Gas Pvt Ltd 50.00% Joint venture
Petronet India Ltd. 16.00% Joint Venture
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  15000.00  CRISIL A1+  04-06-20  CRISIL A1+  26-09-19  CRISIL A1+  27-04-18  CRISIL A1+  24-08-17  CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A1+ 
            19-07-19  CRISIL A1+      01-08-17  CRISIL A1+   
            30-04-19  CRISIL A1+           
Fixed Deposits  FD  0.00  FAAA/Stable  04-06-20  FAAA/Stable  26-09-19  FAAA/Stable  27-04-18  FAAA/Stable  24-08-17  FAAA/Stable  FAAA/Stable 
            19-07-19  FAAA/Stable      01-08-17  FAAA/Stable   
            30-04-19  FAAA/Stable           
Non Convertible Debentures  LT  8700.00
04-09-20 
CRISIL AAA/Stable  04-06-20  CRISIL AAA/Stable  26-09-19  CRISIL AAA/Stable  27-04-18  CRISIL AAA/Stable  24-08-17  CRISIL AAA/Stable  CRISIL AAA/Stable 
            19-07-19  CRISIL AAA/Stable      01-08-17  CRISIL AAA/Stable   
            30-04-19  CRISIL AAA/Stable           
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  28000.00  CRISIL AAA/Stable  04-06-20  CRISIL AAA/Stable  26-09-19  CRISIL AAA/Stable  27-04-18  CRISIL AAA/Stable  24-08-17  CRISIL AAA/Stable  CRISIL AAA/Stable 
            19-07-19  CRISIL AAA/Stable      01-08-17  CRISIL AAA/Stable   
            30-04-19  CRISIL AAA/Stable           
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  17000.00  CRISIL A1+  04-06-20  CRISIL A1+  26-09-19  CRISIL A1+  27-04-18  CRISIL A1+  24-08-17  CRISIL A1+  CRISIL A1+ 
            19-07-19  CRISIL A1+      01-08-17  CRISIL A1+   
            30-04-19  CRISIL A1+           
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
 
Annexure - Details of Bank Lenders & Facilities
Facility Name of Lender Amount (Rs.Crore) Rating
Cash Credit Bank of Baroda 200 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Cash Credit Bank of India 200 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Cash Credit Citibank N. A. 100 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Cash Credit Corporation Bank 300 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Cash Credit HDFC Bank Limited 100 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Cash Credit ICICI Bank Limited 100 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Cash Credit Punjab National Bank 400 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Cash Credit Standard Chartered Bank Limited 100 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Cash Credit State Bank of India 2100 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Cash Credit Union Bank of India 400 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Fund-Based Facilities Bank of Baroda 200 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Fund-Based Facilities Bank of India 3200 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Fund-Based Facilities Citibank N. A. 600 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Fund-Based Facilities Corporation Bank 500 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Fund-Based Facilities DBS Bank Limited 1000 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Fund-Based Facilities HDFC Bank Limited 900 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Fund-Based Facilities ICICI Bank Limited 300 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Fund-Based Facilities IDBI Bank Limited 100 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Fund-Based Facilities Kotak Mahindra Bank Limited 100 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Fund-Based Facilities Punjab National Bank 100 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Fund-Based Facilities Standard Chartered Bank Limited 100 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Fund-Based Facilities State Bank of India 15000 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Fund-Based Facilities The Bank of Nova Scotia 200 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Fund-Based Facilities The Federal Bank Limited 1500 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Fund-Based Facilities Union Bank of India 200 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Non-Fund Based Limit Bank of India 50 CRISIL A1+
Non-Fund Based Limit Corporation Bank 250 CRISIL A1+
Non-Fund Based Limit ICICI Bank Limited 4350 CRISIL A1+
Non-Fund Based Limit State Bank of India 11400 CRISIL A1+
Non-Fund Based Limit YES Bank Limited 950 CRISIL A1+

This Annexure has been updated on 8-Sep-2021 in line with the lender-wise facility details as on 13-Aug-2021 received from the rated entity.

Criteria Details
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
Rating Criteria for Petrochemical Industry
CRISILs Criteria for rating short term debt
Criteria for Notching up Stand Alone Ratings of Entities Based on Government Support
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation

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