NNPC Confirms Continued Operations at Port Harcourt Refinery
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has reaffirmed that the renovated Port Harcourt refinery remains operational. The state-owned oil company stated that preparations for loading operations were in effect as of Saturday.
This clarification follows reports suggesting that the refinery ceased loading petroleum products less than a month after its reopening. NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer confirmed that the refinery is fully functional, as verified recently by former Group Managing Directors of the company.
In response to media speculation about the refinery’s status, the NNPCL emphasized that loading operations were actively prepared at the time of the announcement. “Reports claiming that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery, which resumed operations two months ago, is shut down are completely false,” the statement read. “The refinery is fully operational, and preparations for today’s loading are ongoing.”
NNPCL urged the public to disregard misleading reports, asserting that they stemmed from individuals seeking to create artificial scarcity and exploit consumers. “We advise the public to dismiss these reports as the products of individuals aiming to manipulate the market,” the company stated.
Public reaction has varied, with social media users expressing their frustrations about those wishing for negative outcomes in the country. Concerns were raised about reports perceived as damaging to national interests, with some criticizing the motives behind such narratives.
Despite challenges in revitalizing the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) for decades, recent leadership under Mele Kyari has marked a significant step toward energy self-sufficiency in Nigeria. This achievement highlights NNPCL’s dedication to transforming the nation’s energy landscape.
The Port Harcourt Refinery, located in Eleme, comprises an older facility with a capacity of 60,000 barrels per day and a newer unit designed to refine 150,000 barrels daily. The old refinery, which has been operational since 1965, remained dormant for over 30 years before its recent reopening, facilitated by a $1.5 billion investment by the Federal Government for complete refurbishment.
Currently, the old Port Harcourt refinery is producing significant volumes, including 1.4 million liters of straight-run gasoline daily, along with kerosene, automotive gas oil, low pour fuel oil, and liquefied petroleum gas. The NNPCL has consistently defended the refinery’s achievements against sceptics, demonstrating a commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s petroleum production and reducing reliance on imports.
