Rating Rationale
April 30, 2018 | Mumbai
Numaligarh Refinery Limited
Ratings Reaffirmed
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.800 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL AAA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its 'CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+' rating on the bank facilities of Numaligarh Refinery Limited (NRL).
 
The ratings continue to reflect the strong support NRL receives from its parent, Bharat Petroleum Corporation Ltd (BPCL; rated 'CRISIL AAA/Stable/CRISIL A1+'), and NRL's healthy operating performance and strong financial risk profile. These strengths are partially offset by the location of NRL's facilities in a product-surplus region, and below-industry average capacity utilisation, due to the limited supply of crude oil in the North East.

Analytical Approach

CRISIL has applied its parent notch-up framework to factor in the extent of support that NRL receives from BPCL. The latter holds a majority stake in NRL and both companies have operational synergies, and a common management and line of business.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Strong support from BPCL
BPCL owns 61.65% equity shares in NRL-its only refinery in the North East. The refinery is strategic to BPCL. NRL sells around 85% of its production to BPCL. Mr D Rajkumar, chairman and managing director of BPCL, is also the chairman of NRL. NRL also signs a yearly memorandum of understanding with the parent stating targets for operating and financial performance. The strong support from the parent is expected to continue.
 
* Healthy operating performance
Operating margin improved to 26.8% in fiscal 2017 from 19.9% in fiscal 2016, supported by higher gross refining margin (GRM) and lower operating expenses. NRL is among the most efficient refineries in India with a Nelson Complexity Index of 9.61. The GRM has consistently exceeded that of other public sector refiners in the past five years. The GRM is supported by exemption from payment of 50% as excise duty, given NRL's location in the North East. Also, distillate yield-around 90% in the past five years-has been among the highest in the industry. High GRM and distillate yield should help maintain a healthy operating performance.
 
* Strong financial risk profile
Financial risk profile is strong, with low debt and ample liquidity.
 
With the company's gearing (0.10 time as on March 31, 2017) and strong debt coverage indicators-adjusted interest coverage and net cash accrual to adjusted debt ratios were 141 and 2.12 times, respectively, in fiscal 2017-financial risk profile is expected to remain strong over the medium term. Healthy cash and bank balance of Rs 1,810 crore, minimal utilisation of fund-based limit, and steady cash accrual of Rs 700-750 crore per annum should also support the financial metrics.
 
The 0.7 million tonne per annum (mtpa) capacity diesel hydro-treater unit (DHDT) being set up at Rs 1,030 crore, for production of Bharat Stage IV/VI grade high-speed diesel, is funded largely by internal accrual. The impact of the capex on capital structure will thus be minimal. Plans for other capital expenditure, such as the bio-refinery project in a joint venture, expansion in refinery capacity to 9 mtpa, and setting up of three new pipelines including one to Bangladesh, are still in the initial stages. CRISIL will continue to monitor developments on each of these fronts.
 
Weaknesses
* Location in a product surplus region
Presence in the North East, a product-surplus region, presents logistical disadvantages, given the need to move products to oil marketing companies in other regions. The challenges have been mitigated with the Oil India Ltd (OIL) commissioning a 660-kilometre product pipeline from Numaligarh to Siliguri in West Bengal.
 
* Below-average capacity utilisation
Capacity utilisation, at 89% in fiscal 2017, lags the industry average of over 100% in India, because of limited crude oil availability in the North East.
Outlook: Stable

The 'Stable' outlook reflects CRISIL's rating outlook on NRL's parent, BPCL. The position reflects CRISIL's outlook on BPCL. NRL's status as a subsidiary of BPCL, one of the three integrated oil companies in India, enhances its competitive position in the domestic market. Benefits from the assured offtake by BPCL and other support should continue. Moreover, NRL provides access to BPCL in the North East, where BPCL has no refining capacity.
 
Downward scenario:
* The outlook may be revised to 'Negative' in case of a similar rating action on BPCL
* Deterioration in standalone performance of NRL

About the Company

NRL's 3-million-tonne-capacity refinery, located near Jorhat, Assam, was commissioned in 2000. BPCL owns 61.65% of NRL's equity shares. The other shareholders are the Government of Assam (12.35%) and OIL (26%).

Key Financial Indicators
Particulars Unit 2017  2016 
Revenue Rs crore 11,148 9,892
Profit after tax Rs crore 2,101 1,210
PAT margin % 18.8 12.2
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 0.10 0.12
Interest coverage Times 141 90

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 450 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee NA NA NA 70 CRISIL A1+
NA Proposed Letter of Credit# NA NA NA 30 CRISIL A1+
NA Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility NA NA NA 50 CRISIL AAA/Stable
NA Proposed Short Term Bank Loan Facility NA NA NA 200 CRISIL A1+
*Interchangeable with Working Capital Demand Loan
#Interchangeable with Bank Guarantee
Annexure - Rating History for last 3 Years
  Current 2018 (History) 2017  2016  2015  Start of 2015
Instrument Type Outstanding Amount Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Date Rating Rating
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  700.00  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+      24-10-17  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  25-10-16  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  31-07-15  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  CRISIL AAA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+ 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  100.00  CRISIL A1+      24-10-17  CRISIL A1+  25-10-16  CRISIL A1+  31-07-15  CRISIL A1+  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* 450 CRISIL AAA/Stable Cash Credit* 450 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 70 CRISIL A1+ Letter of credit & Bank Guarantee 70 CRISIL A1+
Proposed Letter of Credit# 30 CRISIL A1+ Proposed Letter of Credit# 30 CRISIL A1+
Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 50 CRISIL AAA/Stable Proposed Long Term Bank Loan Facility 50 CRISIL AAA/Stable
Proposed Short Term Bank Loan Facility 200 CRISIL A1+ Proposed Short Term Bank Loan Facility 200 CRISIL A1+
Total 800 -- Total 800 --
*Interchangeable with Working Capital Demand Loan
#Interchangeable with Bank Guarantee
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
Criteria for Notching up Stand Alone Ratings of Companies based on Parent Support

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