Port Harcourt refinery revives operations, produces 1.4 million liters of petrol daily

According to Leadership News, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has clarified that only the older unit of the Port Harcourt Refinery, with a capacity of 60,000 barrels per day, has resumed operations.

The refinery complex, comprising two units established in 1965 and 1989 with a combined capacity of 210,000 barrels per day, has been undergoing phased rehabilitation.

The older unit is currently operating at 70% capacity and producing significant volumes of petroleum products, including Premium Motor Spirit (PMS or petrol), kerosene, diesel, and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).

To meet international gasoline standards, the refinery blends its output with components from Indorama Petrochemicals, a process NNPC described as standard in the global oil industry.

NNPC further disclosed that the newer refinery unit, with a capacity of 150,000 barrels per day, is expected to be completed by next year. Efforts are underway to increase the older unit's capacity utilization from 70% to 90%, enhancing its output further.

Responding to allegations that the refinery is not operational, NNPC’s spokesperson, Olufemi Soneye, dismissed such claims as unfounded and emphasized the company’s achievements under President Bola Tinubu's administration.

The refinery’s revival represents a critical step in Nigeria’s efforts to reduce dependence on imported fuel, strengthen energy security, and achieve self-sufficiency in petroleum product availability.

NNPC called on Nigerians to support its initiatives aimed at revitalizing the energy sector, stressing the importance of constructive contributions to ongoing progress rather than criticism based on misinformation.

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