Rating Rationale
July 20, 2020 | Mumbai
ONGC Petro Additions Limited
Ratings reaffirmed; CP withdrawn 
 
Rating Action
Total Bank Loan Facilities Rated Rs.23700 Crore
Long Term Rating CRISIL AA/Stable (Reaffirmed)
Short Term Rating CRISIL A1+ (Reaffirmed)
 
Rs.500 Crore Commercial Paper CRISIL A1+ (Withdrawn)
1 crore = 10 million
Refer to annexure for Details of Instruments & Bank Facilities
Detailed Rationale

CRISIL has reaffirmed its 'CRISIL AA/Stable/CRISIL A1+' ratings on the bank facilities of ONGC Petro Additions Limited (OPaL), and has withdrawn its 'CRISIL A1+' rating on the commercial paper programme at the company's request. The withdrawal is in line with CRISIL's policy for withdrawal of ratings.
 
The ratings factor in the strong operational, managerial, and financial support the company receives from the key promoter, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Ltd (ONGC); and healthy market position, as OPaL is one of the largest integrated petrochemical plants in India with an assured supply of key feedstock.
 
With the commencement of the Dahej - Hazira naphtha pipeline in December 2019, utilisation levels have ramped up (as expected), with the plant currently operating at 100%. The Covid-19 pandemic-induced demand disruption resulted in lower capacity utilisation of 50% in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, but operations have revived since then. While the tolling margin improved to 16-17% in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, contributed by a steep fall in feedstock prices, the margin is expected to normalise going forward given the product oversupply in the global market because of a subdued demand environment and expected capacity additions (which could, however, get postponed considering the pandemic). The expected exit of OPaL from the special economic zone (SEZ) in fiscal 2021 could further improve its operating performance.  
 
These strengths are partially offset by the vulnerability of operating performance to the prices of feedstock and finished products, and modest debt protection metrics. While gradual improvement in operating performance is likely in fiscal 2021, OPaL will still depend largely on refinancing to meet it debt obligation.
 
In March 2020, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced the Covid-19 Regulatory Package, whereby lenders could grant moratorium on bank loans (initially from March to May, later extended until August 2020). OPaL has, accordingly, availed moratorium from all its lenders from March to August 2020.

Analytical Approach

The ratings of OPaL factor in support expected from its parent, ONGC. CRISIL believes that OPaL will, in case of exigencies, receive distress support from the parent for timely repayment of debt obligation, considering OPaL's strategic importance and the operational, financial and managerial support it receives from ONGC. As on April 30, 2020, ONGC has invested Rs 4,363 crore in OPaL as equity and share warrants, and has provided backstopping support for Rs 7,800 crore of compulsory convertible debentures (CCDs) issued by OPaL, which is around 92% of OPaL's total equity requirement. ONGC and OPaL also have a shared name and similar logos.
 
CRISIL has also considered CCDs worth Rs 7,800 crore (as on March 31, 2020) as part of the networth.

Key Rating Drivers & Detailed Description
Strengths
* Strong operational, financial, and managerial support from ONGC: OPaL is strategically important to ONGC as it is a downstream integration of ONGC for utilisation of naphtha, ethane (C2) and propane (C3). OPaL has signed raw material supply agreements with ONGC for the purchase of feedstock such as C2, C3, butane (C4) and naphtha for 15 years. A dedicated pipeline for the supply of naphtha from the ONGC plant in Hazira to OPaL has been constructed to ensure uninterrupted raw material supply. While ONGC holds 49.36% stake in OPaL, it has extended significantly higher support. As on April 30, 2020, ONGC has invested Rs 4,363 crore in OPaL as equity and share warrants, and has provided backstopping support for Rs 7,800 crore of CCDs issued by OPaL, which is around 92% of the total equity requirement of OPaL. ONGC is further planning to increase its equity stake in OPaL. The former has extended a letter of comfort to OPaL to raise Rs 10,000 crore debt; thus, the company was able to replace its short-term loans at competitive rates. OPaL also benefits from the strong financial flexibility it derives from being a part of the ONGC group; this helps to raise both short and long-term loans at short notice and competitive rates. ONGC has the highest representation with three members on the board and both companies have a common chairman. OPaL and ONGC share the brand name and have similar logos. OPaL will remain strategically important to ONGC, and the latter will continue to provide strong operational, managerial, and financial support to OPaL.
 
* One of the largest integrated petrochemical plants in India: OPaL's petrochemical complex is a large-scale project, which is strategically located in Dahej SEZ and is well placed to meet growing demand for petrochemical products both in the domestic and overseas markets. Since sale is mainly undertaken in the domestic market, the company is in the process of exiting the SEZ. The project has assured supply of feedstock (C2, C3, and C4) and manufactures premium products. Further, the plant has a dual feed cracker unit that helps in generating better production rates.
 
Weaknesses
* Vulnerability to prices of feedstock and finished products: CRISIL believes that operating profitability will remain vulnerable to volatility in spreads between the pricing of feedstock (naphtha and C2+ components) and finished products. Weaker product cracks in fiscal 2020 impacted the operating performance despite improvement in plant utilisation levels. While the cracks improved in the first quarter of fiscal 2021, contributed by a steep decline in feedstock naphtha prices, the tolling margin is expected to normalise given product oversupply in the global market because of subdued demand and expected capacity additions (which could, however, get postponed considering the pandemic).
 
* Modest financial risk profile: While utilisation improved in fiscal 2020, OPaL continued to report negative cash accrual on account of weaker product cracks realised. Debt protection metrics are modest, with negative net cash accrual to total debt and minimal interest coverage ratios for fiscal 2020. Given the capital-intensive nature of the project, gearing is also expected to remain high at around 4 times in the near term. Short-term loans have been replaced by availing long-term loans at competitive rates, backed by a letter of comfort extended by ONGC, thus reducing the refinancing risk.
Liquidity Strong

CRISIL believes OPaL has strong financial flexibility as it is a part of the ONGC group; this helps to raise both short- and long-term loans at short notice and competitive rates. The company has replaced its short-term debt by availing a long-term debt of Rs 6,500 crore, backed by a letter of comfort from ONGC. Capital expenditure is likely to remain moderate over the medium term. The company also has access to fund-based limit worth Rs 1,535 crore, with average utilisation of 30%. OPaL has availed the moratorium announced by RBI. The company will continue to receive need-based support from ONGC.

Outlook: Stable

CRISIL believes OPaL will remain strategically important to ONGC and continue to receive support over the medium term. OPaL's operating and financial performance will improve, driven by improved capacity utilisation and overall healthy demand outlook for the petrochemical sector.

Rating Sensitivity Factors
Upward Factors
* Increase in ONGC's equity stake in OPaL and stronger articulation of support
* Improvement in operating performance, leading to cash accrual of Rs 2,000 crore

Downward Factors
* Lower-than-expected support from ONGC
* Significant decline in operating performance, resulting in gearing above 4.5 times.

About the Company

OPaL was incorporated in 2006 as a joint venture company promoted by ONGC (49.36%), GAIL (India) Ltd (49.21%) and co-promoted by Gujarat State Petroleum Corporation (1.43%). The company has set up a grass root mega petrochemical project at Dahej, Gujarat, in the petroleum, chemical and petrochemical investment region/SEZ. The complex's main dual feed cracker unit has the capacity to produce 1,100 kilo tonne per annum (KTPA) of ethylene and 400 KTPA of propylene. The associated units comprise pyrolysis gasoline hydrogenation unit, butadiene extraction unit and benzene extraction unit. All units of OPaL were commissioned by February 2017.

Key Financial Indicators - (CRISIL adjusted numbers)
Particulars Unit 2020* 2019
Revenue Rs crore 10,208 9,768
Profit After Tax (PAT) Rs crore (2,085) (1,420)
PAT Margin % (20.4)% (14.5)%
Adjusted debt/adjusted networth Times 3.77 3.11
Interest coverage Times 0.42 0.49
*Based on provisional financials

Any other information: Not applicable

Note on complexity levels of the rated instrument:
CRISIL complexity levels are assigned to various types of financial instruments and are included (where applicable) in the Annexure -- Details of Instrument in this Rating Rationale. For more details on the CRISIL complexity levels, please visit www.crisil.com/complexity-levels.
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 Fund-based facilities NA NA NA 1535 N.A. CRISIL AA/Stable
NA Non fund-based limits NA NA NA 1524 N.A. CRISIL A1+
NA Bank guarantee NA NA NA 1100 N.A. CRISIL A1+
NA Long Term Loan 30.03.2013 8.15% 31-Mar-2027 7953.20 N.A. CRISIL AA/Stable
NA Long Term Loan 17.06.2015 8.15% 31-Mar-2029 2173.41 N.A. CRISIL AA/Stable
NA Short-term loans NA NA NA 3850 N.A. CRISIL A1+
NA External commercial borrowing 29.11.2013 NA 31-Mar-2023 704.19 N.A. CRISIL AA/Stable
NA Proposed fund-based bank limits NA NA NA 1710.20 N.A. CRISIL AA/Stable
NA Proposed short-term bank loan facility NA NA NA 3150 N.A. CRISIL A1+
 
Annexure - Details of Rating Withdrawn
ISIN Name of instrument Date of allotment Coupon rate (%) Maturity date Issue size (Rs.Crore) Complexity level
NA Commercial paper NA NA 7-365 days 500.0 Simple
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  500.00  Withdrawn      31-12-19  CRISIL A1+  28-12-18  CRISIL A1+  19-12-17  CRISIL A1+  -- 
Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  21076.00  CRISIL AA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+      31-12-19  CRISIL AA/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  28-12-18  CRISIL AA-/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  19-12-17  CRISIL AA-/Stable/ CRISIL A1+  -- 
Non Fund-based Bank Facilities  LT/ST  2624.00  CRISIL A1+      31-12-19  CRISIL A1+  28-12-18  CRISIL A1+  19-12-17  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
Bank Guarantee 1100 CRISIL A1+ Bank Guarantee 1500 CRISIL A1+
External Commercial Borrowings 704.19 CRISIL AA/Stable External Commercial Borrowings 823 CRISIL AA/Stable
Fund-Based Facilities 1535 CRISIL AA/Stable Fund-Based Facilities 1535 CRISIL AA/Stable
Long Term Loan 10126.61 CRISIL AA/Stable Long Term Loan 10481.78 CRISIL AA/Stable
Non-Fund Based Limit 1524 CRISIL A1+ Non-Fund Based Limit 1424 CRISIL A1+
Proposed Fund-Based Bank Limits 1710.2 CRISIL AA/Stable Proposed Fund-Based Bank Limits 936 CRISIL AA/Stable
Proposed Short Term Bank Loan Facility 3150 CRISIL A1+ Proposed Short Term Bank Loan Facility 3800.22 CRISIL A1+
Short Term Loan 3850 CRISIL A1+ Short Term Loan 3200 CRISIL A1+
Total 23700 -- Total 23700 --
Links to related criteria
CRISILs Approach to Financial Ratios
CRISILs Bank Loan Ratings - process, scale and default recognition
The Rating Process
Understanding CRISILs Ratings and Rating Scales

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