JUST IN: P’Harcourt Refinery Set To Operate At A Daily Capacity Of 60,000 Barrels Following Comprehensive Repairs

Given that approximately 170 liters of refined petroleum products can be obtained from a barrel of crude oil, the Port Harcourt refinery’s 60,000 barrels per day production is expected to yield an estimated 10.2 million liters of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) and other refined products.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, the refinery’s manager, disclosed that the second phase of the project is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2024, aiming to increase crude oil refining capacity to 150,000 barrels per day.

Simultaneously, the government indicated a potential reduction in the importation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (cooking gas) after the Christmas break, as the refinery starts supplying refined products.

The rehabilitation efforts at the Port Harcourt refinery span over two years, with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited committing to completing the first phase by December 31, 2023. The Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, announced the mechanical completion of flare start-up on December 20, 2023, marking the beginning of petroleum product production.

During an inspection tour and the 15th Refineries’ Rehabilitation Steering Committee Meeting, Lokpobiri expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their patience and trust in the NNPC’s commitment to rehabilitating refineries. He emphasized that the completion of the first phase would pave the way for the refurbishment of the remaining refineries in Warri and Kaduna.

Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, highlighted that the Port Harcourt Refinery would contribute to cooking gas production, potentially reducing import dependence. He expressed confidence that with the successful commissioning of phase one, subsequent phases for other refineries would follow according to schedule.

Though Ekpo did not specify the expected quantity of cooking gas from the refinery, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, provided project updates, stating that as of December 15, 2023, 84.4% of the Area-5 Plant and 77.4% of the entire rehabilitation project had been completed.

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Source; Bushradiogist