NNPC Signs New China Deal to Revamp Warri and Port Harcourt Refineries in Major Technical Partnership Push
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has taken a fresh step toward reviving Nigeria’s long-troubled refineries, signing a new agreement with two Chinese firms to accelerate the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt and Warri facilities. The deal is part of a broader strategy to improve efficiency, restore production capacity, and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel.
The agreement, signed with Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xingcheng (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co., Ltd., was formalised in Jiaxing City, China, on April 30, 2026. It introduces a proposed Technical Equity Partnership model that goes beyond traditional contracts, allowing partners to share both operational responsibilities and financial returns based on performance.
According to NNPC, the partnership will focus not only on completing outstanding rehabilitation works but also on managing and operating the refineries long-term. Together, the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries have a combined capacity of 335,000 barrels per day, making them critical assets in Nigeria’s energy security plans. The initiative also includes plans for upgrades that would enable cleaner fuel production and petrochemical expansion.
NNPC Group CEO, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, described the agreement as the result of months of technical discussions and said it represents a shift from contractor-based rehabilitation to a performance-driven model. He explained that the new approach ensures that partners have “skin in the game,” meaning they only benefit when the refineries deliver results efficiently and sustainably.
Beyond fuel production, the deal also explores the development of gas-based industrial hubs around the refinery complexes, aiming to turn them into integrated energy and petrochemical centres. While the agreement is still subject to regulatory approvals and final negotiations, it signals a renewed push by Nigeria to finally unlock value from its ageing refineries after years of failed rehabilitation attempts and repeated shutdowns.
source: punch