The Port Harcourt Refinery, with a combined capacity of 210,000 barrels per day, is poised to begin operations today. The $1.5 billion rehabilitation project initiated by the Buhari administration in 2019 is set to restore the aging refinery to its nameplate capacity, marking a significant step in enhancing Nigeria’s domestic refining capability and reducing reliance on imported petroleum products.
An official from the Ministry of Petroleum confirmed the readiness of the refinery and stated, “Yes, the refinery is set; we will visit the refinery site today to kickstart its operation.”
Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, had earlier announced that the Port Harcourt refinery would commence operations in December 2023. During a recent budget defense session, Kyari reaffirmed the commitment to refinery rehabilitation, highlighting plans for the Warri refinery to start early in 2024 and the Kaduna refinery to come online by the end of the same year.
This move aligns with Nigeria’s strategic goal to transform into a net exporter of petroleum products by 2024, encompassing refinery rehabilitation, small-scale refinery initiatives, and the upcoming Dangote refinery.
Source: Business Day