The Port Harcourt refinery, despite undergoing a major overhaul, has yet to commence full-scale operations. This delay is attributed to the need for further assessments to ensure the facility operates efficiently without experiencing early breakdowns.
According to officials from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, is taking a cautious approach. He aims to avoid a situation where the refinery starts production only to shut down after a few months for repairs.
The refinery, they say, is currently being fine-tuned to guarantee that it operates at maximum capacity before officially launching full operations.
These updates were shared during a media parley in Effurun, Delta State, where oil and gas industry issues were discussed with journalists from various outlets. One of the organizers, Solomon Oseagah, revealed that the Port Harcourt refinery is already producing but has not yet been publicly commissioned. He emphasized that the delay is not due to technical failures but rather a strategic move by NNPCL to ensure long-term efficiency.
“The Port Harcourt Refinery is already producing and will be commissioned before the end of the year,” Oseagah said, while adding that all remaining issues are being addressed to ensure a smooth launch. He further explained that once these challenges are resolved, President Bola Tinubu is expected to commission the refinery, which is anticipated to be fully operational by the year’s end.
Oseagah also touched on the ongoing shortage of petroleum products in the country, explaining that NNPCL is working tirelessly to resolve these challenges. According to him, the aim is to avoid any future disruptions that could lead to the refinery halting production soon after it begins.
