Arvinder Singh Sahney

Mr. AS Sahney, 55, is a Chemical Engineer from HBTU, Kanpur, with over three decades of expertise in the Refinery and Petrochemical sectors. He brings extensive experience from working at five of IndianOil's nine refineries, where he played a pivotal role in commissioning and optimising key units, including the landmark 15 MMTPA Paradip Refinery that significantly strengthened India’s refining capacity and energy security. As head of IndianOil’s Petrochemicals vertical, he also steered the conceptualisation of several strategic projects, most notably the upcoming mega Petrochemical Complex at Paradip, which is set to substantially expand IndianOil’s footprint in the sector. A firm believer in people-centric leadership, Mr. Sahney has championed Innovation and Digital transformation as drivers of growth and sustainability. His strategic vision and operational excellence have positioned IndianOil as a global energy major, well-equipped to meet the evolving energy needs of the nation. In line with this vision, he has spearheaded Project SPRINT—a company-wide transformation programme launched in April 2025 to drive agility, innovation, and future-readiness across IndianOil. Built on six strategic pillars, SPRINT reflects his commitment to strengthening the company’s core while accelerating its transition into a more customer-focused, cost-efficient, and technology-led energy enterprise. Mr. Sahney is also the Non-Executive Chairman on the Boards of Chennai Petroleum Corporation Ltd. (a subsidiary of IndianOil) and Ratnagiri Refinery & Petrochemicals Ltd. (a joint venture of IndianOil). He serves as the Vice-President of the Paris-based World LPG Association (WLGA) and is also a Non-Executive Director on the Board of Petronet LNG Ltd. (a joint venture of IndianOil).

Session Overview

Wednesday, 5 November

14:30

Downstream & Chemical ICC Hall B 14:30 - 15:10

The future of refining: decarbonisation, demand disruption, and strategic direction

The refining industry is navigating a transitional grey zone, facing mounting pressure to decarbonise, shifting fuel demand, and sustained margin pressures. While some operators are advancing with low-carbon fuel production, carbon capture, and process upgrades, others are reassessing timelines in light of policy uncertainty, infrastructure constraints, and fluctuating economic signals. At the same time, deeper structural questions are emerging: how will overcapacity, evolving product demand, and regional competitiveness reshape the long-term role of refining? For many, chemical integration or diversification into low-carbon fuels and materials offer potential paths forward, while others are weighing consolidation, rationalisation, or strategic repositioning. Strategic divergence is intensifying due to uneven access to capital, regulatory divergence between major markets, and broader uncertainties in global trade and investment flows. As a result, refining leaders must balance short-term operational decisions while also reevaluating the viability of existing assets and the investment logic of long-term infrastructure commitments. Finding clarity in this grey zone will be critical to ensuring both resilience and relevance in the years ahead.

Attendee insights:

Gain perspective on how refining strategies are evolving to balance decarbonisation targets with structural market pressures, including overcapacity, shifting demand, and long-term competitiveness.