The Port Harcourt Refinery is set to begin processing crude oil after years of delayed timelines and extensive rehabilitation efforts. According to Femi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL), the refinery will initially operate at 60% capacity, processing 60,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil.
Soneye hailed the commencement as a significant milestone for Nigeria, signaling a new phase of energy independence and economic growth for the nation. He congratulated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the NNPC Board, and the Group CEO Mele Kyari for their leadership and commitment to the long-awaited project.
“This groundbreaking milestone signifies a new era of energy independence and economic growth for our nation,” Soneye said. “Together, we are reshaping Nigeria’s energy future.”
The announcement also revealed that truck loading of crude will begin today, and NNPCL is working diligently to bring the Warri Refinery back online as well.
The Port Harcourt Refinery, located in Nigeria’s Niger Delta region, was originally slated for completion in 2019. However, it has faced multiple setbacks over the years, with the refurbishment and upgrade efforts continually missing deadlines under successive administrations since 1999. Despite the delays, the renewed operation of the refinery marks a significant development in Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.