Port Harcourt refinery begins operation, dispatches 1st batch of petroleum products

The Port Harcourt Refinery has resumed operations after undergoing a significant upgrade and modernization project that began in 2021, marking the end of several missed deadlines for its production start. The refinery is set to deliver its first batch of petroleum products on Tuesday, November 26. This achievement follows an inspection of the facility by Mallam Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), on the evening of November 25.

Located in Alesa Eleme, Port Harcourt, the refinery includes two units, one built in 1965 and the other in 1989, with a combined capacity to process 210,000 barrels of crude oil per day. The older unit can handle 60,000 barrels per stream day, while the newer unit is capable of processing 150,000 barrels per stream day.

The refinery’s reopening is expected to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported fuel. It will produce key products such as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, diesel, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), helping to strengthen the nation’s energy supply and support economic growth.

Femi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPCL, stated on November 26: “Today marks a monumental achievement for Nigeria as the Port Harcourt Refinery officially begins crude oil processing. This milestone ushers in a new era of energy independence and economic growth for our country. Congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the NNPC Board, and the leadership of GCEO Mele Kyari for their dedication to this transformative project. Together, we are shaping Nigeria’s energy future!”