The Port Harcourt Refinery, Nigeria’s largest crude refinery, has recently hit a milestone with the announcement of its mechanical completion.
This development marks a significant turnaround for the Nigerian government’s efforts in reviving its petroleum resources management.
Located in the oil-rich region of Port Harcourt, the refinery has been a focal point in Nigeria’s petroleum industry.
With two refineries in Port Harcourt and one each in Warri and Kaduna, Nigeria has struggled for years to optimize its operations despite numerous Turn-Around-Maintenance (TAM) attempts.
However, the recent progress in the Port Harcourt Refinery signals a promising change.
Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), shared this exciting news during a media tour.
He stated;
We are thrilled to announce the mechanical completion and flare start-off of the Port Harcourt refinery, fulfilling our pledge to bring phase one online by the end of 2023 and phase two in 2024.
Reviving the Port Harcourt Refinery: A Milestone Achievement
The Port Harcourt Refinery, comprising two units, has a substantial refining capacity.
The older plant can process 60,000 barrels per day (bpd), while the newer one handles 150,000 bpd, collectively summing up to an impressive 210,000 bpd.
This capacity places the refinery at the forefront of Nigeria’s petroleum production capabilities.
The refinery underwent its first phase of repair work in March 2019.
This major step forward was possible thanks to the collaboration with Italy’s Maire Tecnimont and oil major Eni as the technical adviser.
This partnership underscores the international interest and confidence in Nigeria’s petroleum sector.
Production of petroleum products is set to commence post-Christmas break, according to Minister Lokpobiri.
This advancement is a testament to the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation’s (NNPC) commitment and the government’s Renewed Hope Agenda under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The Board Chairman of NNPC Ltd, Pius Akinyelure, also expressed his satisfaction with this development.
The operationalization of the Port Harcourt Refinery is expected to stabilize fuel costs and reduce reliance on imported petroleum products, a significant economic benefit for the country.
For many years, Nigeria has imported petroleum products due to the underperformance of its refineries, leading to substantial revenue loss.
The Buhari administration had pledged to revive these refineries to reduce this dependency.
Despite challenges and delays, the government’s continued investment and focus on the Port Harcourt Refinery have now borne fruit.
The journey to this point has not been without hurdles. Initial deadlines were not met, and the government faced criticism for the delays and financial investments.
However, persistence and strategic planning have finally led to this notable achievement.
The recent tour, attended by key figures like the Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas) Ekperikpe Ekpo, and NNPC Ltd. Group Chief Executive Officer Mele Kyari, among others, highlights the collective effort and importance of this project.
As the refinery moves towards full operational capacity, it not only promises economic benefits but also serves as a beacon of hope for the nation’s petroleum sector.