Rating Rationale
November 29, 2019 | Mumbai
Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited
'CRISIL AAA/Stable' assigned to NCD 
 
Rating Action
Rs.3000 Crore Non Convertible Debentures CRISIL AAA/Stable (Assigned)
Corporate Credit Rating  CCR AAA/Stable (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 Non-Convertible Debentures of Mangalore Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited (MRPL). CRISIL has also reaffirmed its corporate credit rating (CCR) 'CCR AAA/Stable'.

The rating continues to reflect the strong operational, financial and managerial support from parent, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC) and its favourable business profile. These strengths are partially offset by the company's moderate but improving financial risk profile and exposure to risks related to volatility in crude oil prices.

Analytical Approach

The rating centrally factors in the strategic importance of the company to, and strong support from its parent, ONGC. CRISIL has taken a consolidated view of MRPL and ONGC Mangalore Petrochemicals Ltd (OMPL; rated CRISIL A1+). MRPL holds a majority stake in OMPL and both companies have operational synergies, common management control, and operate in the same line of business. MRPL increased its stake in OMPL to 51% in February 2015 from 3% as on March 31, 2014, through the acquisition of a minority stake and then subscription to the rights issue. OMPL's merger with MRPL is under process. The merger has already been approved by MRPL's board of directors and the request is under consideration by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

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:
* Strong support from parent: MRPL benefits significantly from the operational, financial, and managerial support of parent, ONGC, which owns a 71.6% stake in the company. The company is critical to ONGC's goal of becoming an integrated oil and gas entity with presence in both exploration and refining. MRPL's majority stake in OMPL increases its strategic importance to ONGC, which aims to be the leader in the oil and gas value chain.
 
* Favourable business profile:
MRPL has a high Nelson complexity index (NCI) of 9.78 (refineries with high NCI have the necessary flexibility to process a variety of crude oils and can record high value addition). High operating efficiency enables processing of sour crude and optimises distillation yield. Capacity utilisation has been 100% over the years and GRMs higher than other public sector standalone refiners.
 
The GRMs reported for fiscal 2019 have however weakened to $4.06/bbl (as compared to $7.54/bbl reported for fiscal 2018), mainly on account of heightened volatility in the crude oil prices and lower product cracks realised. Operating performance for H1FY20 further weakened due to temporary disruption in operations caused by scarcity in water supply (impacted operations in Q1FY20) and occurrence of landslide caused by heavy rainfall (impacted operations in Q2FY20). Operations have however resumed in October 2019.
 
Weaknesses:
* Moderate financial risk profile: Capital structure remains moderate with gearing of 1.58 times as on March 31, 2019. Debt coverage indicators have weakened in fiscal 2019 with adjusted interest coverage ratio of 2.55 times (as compared to 5.13 times in fiscal 2018) and net cash accruals to total debt of 0.05 times (as compared to 0.10 times in fiscal 2018).  The weakening of the financial risk profile has mainly been on account of recent decline in the operating performance of the company. The company has debt repayments of around Rs 1,000-1,200 crores per annum in H2FY20 and fiscal 2021, which are partially expected to be refinanced.
 
* Exposure to risks related to volatility in crude oil prices: Crude oil prices have fluctuated in the past few years: they increased to around $86 per barrel (bbl) in October 2018 and reduced to $57 per bbl during December 2018; later settling to $67 per bbl as on year end. Such volatility in crude oil prices resulted in substantial inventory losses, thus hampering operating performance. Recent increase in crude oil rates led to larger working capital requirement. MRPL imports around 80% of its crude oil requirement. Large import dependence exposes MRPL to volatility in foreign exchange rates.
Liquidity Superior

The parental support received from ONGC benefits the financial flexibility of MRPL, enabling it to access funding sources at attractive rates. On an average, MRPL generates healthy cash accruals of Rs 1000 crores, although performance has weakened recently. MRPL also has access to fund based limits Rs. 900 crores, with minimal utilisation. The company has repayment obligations of around Rs 1,000 - 1,200 crores per annum approximately in H2FY20 and fiscal 2021. CRISIL believes MRPL will have to partially depend on refinancing its repayment obligations.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes MRPL will remain strategically important to, and will continue to receive operational, managerial, and financial support from parent, ONGC.

Rating sensitive factors 
Downward factors:
* Deterioration in credit profile of ONGC
* Sustained deterioration in the GRMs reported to below $4/bbl

 

About the Company

MRPL, a standalone refinery, is a 71.6% subsidiary of ONGC. The refinery is located near Mangalore port, on the west coast of India. In fiscal 2012, MRPL's nameplate capacity increased to 15 million tonne per annum with commissioning of the crude and vacuum distillation units of its Phase-III expansion project. OMPL's plant, commissioned in fiscal 2015, has capacity to produce around 920 kilo tonne per annum (ktpa) of paraxylene and around 280 ktpa of benzene, along with other by-products. The plant has one of the largest paraxylene manufacturing capacities in India. It will utilise feedstock (naphtha and aromatic streams) from MRPL's refinery adjacent to the plant. OMPL's entire capacity has been commissioned and utilisation is ramping up.

For the six months ended September 30, 2019, MRPL incurred a loss of Rs 1559 crore on revenue of Rs 22,308 crore, against a loss reported of Rs 69 crore on revenue of Rs 29,718 crore for the corresponding period of the previous fiscal.

Key Financial Indicators - (Consolidated Financials)
Particulars Unit 2019 2018
Revenue Rs crore 63,215 49,036
Profit after tax (PAT) Rs crore 351 1,774
PAT margin % 0.56 3.62
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 1.58 1.49
Interest coverage Times 2.55 5.13

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 Non-Convertible Debentures* NA NA NA 3000.0 CRISIL AAA/Stable
*Not yet placed
 
Annexure - List of entities consolidated
Names of Entities Consolidated Extent of Consolidation Rationale for Consolidation
ONGC Mangalore Petrochemicals Limited Full Business and financial linkages
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2019 (History) 2018  2017  2016  Start of 2016
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
--  CCR  0.00  CCR AAA/Stable  28-03-19  CCR AAA/Stable  29-03-18  CCR AAA/Stable  20-03-17  CCR AAA/Stable  14-04-16  CCR AAA  CCR AAA 
Non Convertible Debentures  LT  0.00
31-12-19 
CRISIL AAA/Stable    --    --    --    --  -- 
All amounts are in Rs.Cr.
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
Rating criteria for manufaturing and service sector companies
Rating Criteria for Petrochemical Industry
CRISILs Criteria for Consolidation
Criteria for Notching up Stand Alone Ratings of Companies based on Parent Support

For further information contact:
Media Relations
Analytical Contacts
Customer Service Helpdesk
Saman Khan
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 3895
B: +91 22 3342 3000
saman.khan@crisil.com

Naireen Ahmed
Media Relations
CRISIL Limited
D: +91 22 3342 1818
B: +91 22 3342 3000
naireen.ahmed@crisil.com

Sachin Gupta
Senior Director - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 22 3342 3023
Sachin.Gupta@crisil.com


Nitesh Jain
Director - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 22 3342 3329
nitesh.jain@crisil.com


Joanne Gonsalves
Rating Analyst - CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Limited
D:+91 22 4254 4071
Joanne.Gonsalves@crisil.com
Timings: 10.00 am to 7.00 pm
Toll free Number:1800 267 1301

For a copy of Rationales / Rating Reports:
CRISILratingdesk@crisil.com
 
For Analytical queries:
ratingsinvestordesk@crisil.com


 

Note for Media:
This rating rationale is transmitted to you for the sole purpose of dissemination through your newspaper / magazine / agency. The rating rationale may be used by you in full or in part without changing the meaning or context thereof but with due credit to CRISIL. However, CRISIL alone has the sole right of distribution (whether directly or indirectly) of its rationales for consideration or otherwise through any media including websites, portals etc.


About CRISIL Limited

CRISIL is a leading agile and innovative, global analytics company driven by its mission of making markets function better. We are India’s foremost provider of ratings, data, research, analytics and solutions. A strong track record of growth, culture of innovation and global footprint sets us apart. We have delivered independent opinions, actionable insights, and efficient solutions to over 1,00,000 customers.
 
We are majority owned by S&P Global Inc., a leading provider of transparent and independent ratings, benchmarks, analytics and data to the capital and commodity markets worldwide.
 
For more information, visit www.crisil.com 


Connect with us: TWITTER | LINKEDIN | YOUTUBE | FACEBOOK

About CRISIL Ratings
CRISIL Ratings is part of CRISIL Limited (“CRISIL”). We pioneered the concept of credit rating in India in 1987. CRISIL is registered in India as a credit rating agency with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (“SEBI”). With a tradition of independence, analytical rigour and innovation, CRISIL sets the standards in the credit rating business. We rate the entire range of debt instruments, such as, bank loans, certificates of deposit, commercial paper, non-convertible / convertible / partially convertible bonds and debentures, perpetual bonds, bank hybrid capital instruments, asset-backed and mortgage-backed securities, partial guarantees and other structured debt instruments. We have rated over 24,500 large and mid-scale corporates and financial institutions. CRISIL has also instituted several innovations in India in the rating business, including rating municipal bonds, partially guaranteed instruments and microfinance institutions. We also pioneered a globally unique rating service for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and significantly extended the accessibility to rating services to a wider market. Over 1,10,000 MSMEs have been rated by us.


CRISIL PRIVACY
 
CRISIL respects your privacy. We may use your contact information, such as your name, address, and email id to fulfil your request and service your account and to provide you with additional information from CRISIL.For further information on CRISIL’s privacy policy please visit www.crisil.com.


DISCLAIMER

This disclaimer forms part of and applies to each credit rating report and/or credit rating rationale that we provide (each a “Report”). For the avoidance of doubt, the term “Report” includes the information, ratings and other content forming part of the Report. The Report is intended for the jurisdiction of India only. This Report does not constitute an offer of services. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing in the Report is to be construed as CRISIL providing or intending to provide any services in jurisdictions where CRISIL does not have the necessary licenses and/or registration to carry out its business activities referred to above. Access or use of this Report does not create a client relationship between CRISIL and the user.

We are not aware that any user intends to rely on the Report or of the manner in which a user intends to use the Report. In preparing our Report we have not taken into consideration the objectives or particular needs of any particular user. It is made abundantly clear that the Report is not intended to and does not constitute an investment advice. The Report is not an offer to sell or an offer to purchase or subscribe for any investment in any securities, instruments, facilities or solicitation of any kind or otherwise enter into any deal or transaction with the entity to which the Report pertains. The Report should not be the sole or primary basis for any investment decision within the meaning of any law or regulation (including the laws and regulations applicable in the US).

Ratings from CRISIL Rating are statements of opinion as of the date they are expressed and not statements of fact or recommendations to purchase, hold, or sell any securities / instruments or to make any investment decisions. Any opinions expressed here are in good faith, are subject to change without notice, and are only current as of the stated date of their issue. CRISIL assumes no obligation to update its opinions following publication in any form or format although CRISIL may disseminate its opinions and analysis. CRISIL rating contained in the Report is not a substitute for the skill, judgment and experience of the user, its management, employees, advisors and/or clients when making investment or other business decisions. The recipients of the Report should rely on their own judgment and take their own professional advice before acting on the Report in any way.CRISIL or its associates may have other commercial transactions with the company/entity.

Neither CRISIL nor its affiliates, third party providers, as well as their directors, officers, shareholders, employees or agents (collectively, “CRISIL Parties”) guarantee the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the Report, and no CRISIL Party shall have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions therein, regardless of the cause, or for the results obtained from the use of any part of the Report. EACH CRISIL PARTY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, SUITABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE. In no event shall any CRISIL Party be liable to any party for any direct, indirect, incidental, exemplary, compensatory, punitive, special or consequential damages, costs, expenses, legal fees, or losses (including, without limitation, lost income or lost profits and opportunity costs) in connection with any use of any part of the Report even if advised of the possibility of such damages.

CRISIL Ratings may receive compensation for its ratings and certain credit-related analyses, normally from issuers or underwriters of the instruments, facilities, securities or from obligors. CRISIL’s public ratings and analysis as are required to be disclosed under the regulations of the Securities and Exchange Board of India (and other applicable regulations, if any) are made available on its web sites, www.crisil.com (free of charge). Reports with more detail and additional information may be available for subscription at a fee – more details about CRISIL ratings are available here: www.crisilratings.com.

CRISIL and its affiliates do not act as a fiduciary. While CRISIL has obtained information from sources it believes to be reliable, CRISIL does not perform an audit and undertakes no duty of due diligence or independent verification of any information it receives and / or relies in its Reports. CRISIL keeps certain activities of its business units separate from each other in order to preserve the independence and objectivity of the respective activity. As a result, certain business units of CRISIL may have information that is not available to other CRISIL business units. CRISIL has established policies and procedures to maintain the confidentiality of certain non-public information received in connection with each analytical process. CRISIL has in place a ratings code of conduct and policies for analytical firewalls and for managing conflict of interest. For details please refer to: https://www.crisil.com/en/home/our-businesses/ratings/regulatory-disclosures/highlighted-policies.html

CRISIL’s rating criteria are generally available without charge to the public on the CRISIL public web site, www.crisil.com. For latest rating information on any instrument of any company rated by CRISIL you may contact CRISIL RATING DESK at CRISILratingdesk@crisil.com, or at (0091) 1800 267 1301.

This Report should not be reproduced or redistributed to any other person or in any form without a prior written consent of CRISIL.

All rights reserved @ CRISIL