Massachusetts-based Aspen Technology said that BPCL, India's second largest oil company, would use AspenTech's "Plantelligence" (software) solution to operate its Mumbai oil refinery at peak efficiency and integrate its plant operations with those of the entire corporation. The move will enable the Mumbai refinery to compete globally, a critical goal that BPCL intends to meet by the time the Indian oil refining industry is fully deregulated in 2002.

Anticipating the deregulation of the Indian refining industry, BPCL, primarily owned by the government, embarked upon a strategic plan in 1996 to become more responsive to changes in market conditions. The major objectives of the plan are to modernise the Mumbai refinery, to improve the company's retail network and to increase the company's market share through the launch of new initiatives.

"Our existing relationship with BPCL and our proven track record were key elements in the signing of the agreement," said Larry Evans, chairman and CEO of Aspen.

"BPCL's transition from our focussed point solutions to full Plantelligence solution is evidence of the additional value that can be derived from integration," he said.

BPCL, which chose to purchase the full Plantelligence solution in June this year, has worked with the company in the past to instal plant control and information management technologies. Plantelligence software and services enable customers to model processing plants to determine the best possible operating parameters, then manage and optimise real-time plant solutions, according to a company press note.

-- India Abroad News Service