Simplified SWOT Analysis of Hindustan Petroleum

About Hindustan Petroleum

An examination of Hindustan Petroleum by Sw Concerning Hindustan Petroleum Established on July 5, 1952, Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd was initially known as Standard Vacuum Refining Company. After then, ESSO India was used as the new name. In 1974, the firm changed its name to Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd. Petroleum House 17, Jamshedji Tata Road, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400020 is the address of Hindustan Petroleum’s headquarters.

The Indian Government holds approximately 51% of the shares in HCL. HPCL is a government-owned oil and natural gas subsidiary. Items Petroleum Revenue (US$59 billion, 467,964.52 crore) (2023) Operating profit for 2023 was -12,475.43 crore (US$ -1.6 billion). 9,065 employees as of 2022 Prize Petroleum Company Limited’s subsidiaries HPCL Biofuels Limited Middle HPCL.

Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) is a prominent state-owned oil and natural gas company in India. Established in 1974, HPCL has grown to become one of the largest oil and gas companies in the country. The company’s headquarters are located in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

HPCL operates two major refineries in India, one in Mumbai and the other in Visakhapatnam, with a total refining capacity of over 18 million metric tonnes per annum. It also owns the largest lube refinery in the country. The company is involved in the refining, marketing, distribution, and transportation of petroleum products. 

HPCL is a Fortune Global 500 company, ranked at 384 in 2021. The company has a strong presence in the Indian market and is known for its high-quality products and services.

Current news about Hindustan Petroleum

• Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd Slips 4.24% – Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Ltd has lost 11.71% over last one month compared to 3.93% fall in S&P BSE Oil&Gas index and 1.48% rise in the SENSEX. 

Read more at: https://www.business-standard.com/markets/capital-market-news/hindustan-petroleum-corporation-ltd-slips-4-24-124031500166_1.html

Services provided by Hindustan Petroleum

• Retail(Petrol Pumps)
• LPG
• Industries & Commercial (Bulk Fuels supplies to industries, ships)
• Lubes
• Aviation
• Refineries 

Competitors of Hindustan Petroleum

1. Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL):

• Market Share: Largest oil marketing company in India, holding over 40% share.
• Strengths: Extensive network of petrol pumps, strong brand presence, diversified operations across refining, marketing, petrochemicals.
• Weaknesses: Large size can lead to bureaucratic inefficiencies.

2. Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited (BPCL):

• Market Share: Third largest oil marketing company in India, holds around 22% share.
• Strengths: Strong presence in southern and western India, focus on customer service and digitalization.
• Weaknesses: Limited refining capacity compared to HPCL and IOCL.

3. Reliance Industries Limited (RIL):

• Market Share: Growing player in the market, currently holds around 16% share.
• Strengths: Vertically integrated operations, strong financial resources, focus on petrochemicals and retail segment.
• Weaknesses: Relatively new entrant compared to established players like HPCL.

4. Nayara Energy:

• Market Share: Smaller player but quickly gaining ground, holds around 5% share.
• Strengths: Modern, single-location refinery with high complexity, focus on high-value fuels.
• Weaknesses: Limited network of petrol pumps, smaller market reach compared to bigger players.

5. Shell India:

• Market Share: Primarily focused on B2B segment, limited presence in retail segment.
• Strengths: Strong global brand, expertise in lubricants and aviation fuel.
• Weaknesses: Limited retail network, niche focus compared to broader portfolios of other competitors.

Buyer Persona of Hindustan Petroleum

Buyer’s Persona

Name:

Rahul Patel

Place:

Mumbai

Age:

32 years

Profession:

Marketing Executive

Motivation

• Generate savings
• Finding creative solutions 
• High quality results
• Part of success

Interest & Hobbies

• Fitness Enthusiast
• Cooking
• Gaming
• Travelling

Pain Points

• Inconsistent network connectivity
• Reduce cost with High quality 
• Managing supplier relationships

Social Media Presence

• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook
• LinkedIn

SWOT Analysis of Hindustan Petroleum

SWOT stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats. It is used as a tool to know and analyze the market position and general health of a business. It is extremely useful and is done by every old as well as a new business to determine the most effective future path.

Analyzing the external opportunities and threats may also help to know the necessary steps that could be taken to make provisions and develop strategies.

Strengths of Hindustan Petroleum

• Established Presence: HPCL has an established presence in the oil and gas industry, contributing to its strong market position.  
• Diversified Product Portfolio: We offer a diverse range of products, including fuels, lubricants and petrochemicals,  to meet the diverse needs of consumers.
• Technological Advancement: HPCL employs advanced technology in its refining and production processes to improve efficiency and product quality. 

Weaknesses of Hindustan Petroleum

• Vulnerability to fluctuations in crude oil prices: As an oil and gas company, HPCL is vulnerable to fluctuations in crude oil prices, which affect its profitability. 
• Geopolitical Risk: Our business is affected by geopolitical factors, such as international relations and regional conflicts, which may affect our supply chain.

Opportunities of Hindustan Petroleum

• Transition to renewable energy: Transition to renewable energy provides HPCL with an opportunity  to diversify its portfolio and adapt to changing market trends.  
• Global Expansion: Opening up new markets and expanding international operations provides HPCL with growth opportunities and reduces dependence on a particular region.

Threats of Hindustan Petroleum

• Intense Competition: HPCL faces intense competition from other domestic and international players in the oil and gas industry, impacting its market share and pricing strategy.
• Economic downturn: Economic uncertainty and economic downturn may reduce demand for petroleum and related products, which may impact HPCL’s financial.

Failed campaigns of Hindustan Petroleum

Campaign: 2017 “Fill Up for India” Initiative with Virat Kohli (Cricketer)

What was the issue?

The campaign featured Indian cricketer Virat Kohli as the brand ambassador, encouraging people to fuel up at HPCL pumps to contribute to the construction of toilets in rural areas. Critics argued that it exploited Kohli’s popularity and associated him with a social cause without his direct involvement or contribution.

Some questioned the effectiveness of the campaign, pointing out the lack of transparency regarding how fuel purchases translated to toilet construction.

What backlash did the brand face?

Social media users slammed the campaign, accusing HPCL of “greenwashing” and using Kohli’s image for self-promotion without genuine social impact. Several media outlets published articles criticizing the campaign’s lack of clarity and potential misuse of celebrity endorsement.

What did the brand do in this situation?

HPCL initially defended the campaign, highlighting its collaboration with a sanitation NGO and outlining the conversion mechanism of fuel purchases to toilet construction.

However, due to the persistent negative feedback, HPCL eventually issued a clarification stating that Kohli was not directly involved in the initiative and that they would ensure better communication in future campaigns.

Lessons learned:

This incident highlights the importance of transparent communication and avoiding ambiguity in cause-related marketing campaigns. Associating with celebrities requires careful consideration of their image and alignment with the brand’s message. Brands should be prepared to address criticism constructively and adapt their campaigns if necessary.

Conclusion

Hindustan Petroleum is one of the leading companies in India’s oil sector. His SWOT analysis of Hindustan Petroleum found that the company has  presence across the country and its brand is well established in the market. The company regularly faces challenges as the number of competitors in the same field increases. 

As customers become more aware of  the use of electric motors and appliances, the company needs to expand its services through better marketing efforts. In a changing world where digital marketing is paramount, it is mandatory for everyone to be well-informed about this field.

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