Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL) has extended the additional charge of Director (Refineries) entrusted to its Chairman and Managing Director (CMD), Sanjay Khanna. The extension was approved by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG) and disclosed by the company in a regulatory filing to the stock exchanges on July 30.
The decision ensures continuity in the leadership of BPCL’s refining business while the position of Director (Refineries) remains vacant.
Additional Charge Continues
According to BPCL, the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas has extended Sanjay Khanna’s additional responsibility as Director (Refineries). The company had earlier informed the stock exchanges in April this year when he was first assigned the additional charge.
The latest extension allows Khanna to continue overseeing both the overall management of BPCL as CMD and the company’s refinery operations.
Leadership Journey at BPCL
Sanjay Khanna has been closely associated with BPCL’s refining business throughout his career. He was appointed as Director (Refineries) in February 2022 after serving in several senior operational roles within the company.
In May 2025, he was given additional charge as Chairman and Managing Director. Following his appointment as the full-time CMD in April 2026, the Director (Refineries) position became vacant, leading to him being entrusted with its additional charge once again.
The latest extension ensures stability in one of BPCL’s key business verticals.
Extensive Experience in Refining Operations
A chemical engineering graduate from the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Tiruchirappalli, Sanjay Khanna also holds a postgraduate qualification in finance management from the University of Mumbai.
With more than three decades of experience in refinery operations and technical services, he has held several leadership positions within BPCL. Before joining the Board, he headed both the Mumbai and Kochi refineries.
During his tenure at Kochi Refinery, he played a significant role in commissioning the Propylene Derivative Petrochemical Project (PDPP), which marked BPCL’s entry into the petrochemical sector.
Key Industry Responsibilities
Apart from leading BPCL, Khanna serves on the boards of Bharat Petro Resources Limited, Petronet LNG Limited, and Ratnagiri Refinery and Petrochemicals Limited.
He also chairs the Technical Committee for Petroleum Refineries under the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, contributing to policy discussions and technical advancements in India’s refining sector.
BPCL’s Expansion Plans
BPCL currently operates refineries at Mumbai, Kochi and Bina, with a combined refining capacity of 35.3 million tonnes per annum.
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The company has outlined a capital investment plan of approximately ₹75,000 crore over the next five years. A major component of this investment is the proposed ₹50,000 crore refinery and petrochemical expansion project at Bina, Madhya Pradesh, aimed at enhancing refining capacity and strengthening BPCL’s petrochemical portfolio.
Ensuring Continuity in Refinery Operations
The extension of Sanjay Khanna’s additional charge as Director (Refineries) is expected to provide continuity in BPCL’s refinery management during a period of expansion and strategic investment.
With the company pursuing large-scale capacity enhancement projects and diversification initiatives, his continued oversight of the refining business is expected to support operational efficiency and long-term growth.