Breaking: Port Harcourt refinery begins production

After several postponements, the Port Harcourt refinery has finally commenced fuel production.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited confirmed this to newsmen on Tuesday.

NNPC spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, said the loading of trucks would start today.

“Port Harcourt Refinery begins production. Truck loading starts today, Tuesday,” Soneye told newsmen.

In another update on X, the NNPC said: “NNPC Ltd Delivers Port Harcourt Refinery as plant begins truckout of products today, Tuesday 26th November 2024 at 1.45 pm.

It was learnt that the refinery would start with 60,000 barrels capacity per day, releasing Premium Motor Spirit, diesel, and others into the Nigerian market.

The Port Harcourt Refinery would be the second petrol-producing refinery after the Dangote Refinery commenced PMS production in September.

It is one of the three owned by the Federal Government and managed by the NNPC.

Nigerians have been hopeful that the cost of fuel could crash if the country refines its crude and ends the import of refined products.

The refinery, situated in Nigeria’s oil-rich Niger Delta region, has been in operation since 1965, but later became moribund for several years.

In March 2021, the Nigerian government acquired a $1.5bn loan for the renovation and modernisation of the refinery.

Recall that promises made to Nigerians by the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources and the NNPC about the refinery failed seven times before now.

Barely two months after the September completion deadline failed, the NNPC explained last week why it could not deliver the much-awaited Port Harcourt refinery at the scheduled time.

In an interview with newsmen, Soneye said the company encountered risks and challenges while carrying out the rehabilitation, being a brownfield project.

He noted that the NNPC began the commissioning of critical equipment and processing units after the mechanical completion in Nigeria.

“You may recall that mechanical completion of the PHRC revamp was successfully achieved several months ago, marking a significant milestone in the project. Following this, we began the commissioning of critical equipment and process units.

“However, as is common with brownfield projects of this scale and complexity, we encountered unforeseen risks and challenges,” he stated.

Nonetheless, he told newsmen that the issues were resolved and commissioning activities resumed.

Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has extended his heartfelt congratulations to NNPCL on the successful revitalisation of the Port Harcourt refinery, marked by the official commencement of petroleum product loading on Tuesday.

A statement by Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy), Bayo Onanuga on Tuesday, said the president acknowledged the pivotal role of former President Muhammadu Buhari in initiating the comprehensive rehabilitation of all the country’s refineries.

He also expressed gratitude to the African Export-Import Bank for its confidence in financing this critical project.

Furthermore, President Tinubu commends the leadership of NNPC Limited’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, whose unwavering dedication and commitment he said, were instrumental in overcoming challenges to achieve the milestone.

With the successful revival of the Port Harcourt refinery, President Tinubu urged NNPC Limited, to expedite the scheduled reactivation of both the second Port Harcourt refinery, Warri and Kaduna refineries.