NNPC: Port Harcourt Refinery Set Date To Restart

NNPC: Port Harcourt Refinery Set Date To Restart

The CEO of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, announced that the Port Harcourt refinery is set to commence production by early August this year, with the Kaduna refinery following suit by December 2024.

Kyari disclosed this during a session at the National Assembly on Monday, July 15. He reiterated the refinery’s delayed operational timeline, originally slated for March 2024, emphasizing that the revised August start date remains firm.

He also expressed optimism about Nigeria’s petroleum production targets, citing the potential for the country to achieve a capacity of two million barrels per day and transition into a net exporter of petroleum products by December.

The Port Harcourt refinery complex, situated at Alesa-Eleme near Port Harcourt in Rivers State, consists of two refineries. Port Harcourt II (New Refinery), commissioned in 1988, was initially designated for export purposes but now serves the domestic market due to supply interruptions from other Nigerian refineries. It boasts a distillation capacity of 7,500,000 MTA (150,000 bpd) and significant clean fuel capabilities, including lead-free gasoline.

Recent updates from senior officials at the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and NNPCL indicate that the refinery is undergoing final licensing processes following the supply of crude to the plant after its mechanical completion in December 2023.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri, affirmed the refinery’s progress, noting the completion of mechanical works and the ongoing licensing phase. He highlighted the involvement of international inspectors ensuring compliance with regulatory standards, which includes thorough testing before operational commencement.

“The officials overseeing the licensing are rigorously assessing the plant. Their meticulous approach is crucial to ensuring operational integrity and compliance with safety standards,” remarked a petroleum ministry official who spoke anonymously to Channels TV due to the sensitivity of the matter.

The refinery’s anticipated restart has garnered mixed reactions, reflecting public skepticism over previous missed deadlines and concerns over operational sustainability amidst Nigeria’s challenging oil sector dynamics.