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The Port-Harcourt refinery, with a capacity of 210,000 barrels per day, is expected to start operations at the end of July, following multiple delays.
The National Public Relations Officer of the Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria, Chief Ukadike Chinedu,revealed the new timeline on Monday.
He emphasized that this development will boost economic activities, lower the cost of petroleum products, and ensure sufficient supply.
In December last year, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, announced the mechanical completion and flare start-off of Port Harcourt's largest crude refinery.
The refineries consist of two units, with the older facility capable of refining 60,000 barrels per day and the newer facility capable of refining 150,000 BPD.
The refinery was closed in March 2019 for the first phase of repairs after the government enlisted the help of technical advisor Maire Tecnimont from Italy to oversee the assessment of the refinery complex, with oil company Eni appointed as the technical advisor.
On March 15, 2024, it was announced by Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Limited, that the Port Harcourt refinery is expected to resume operations in approximately two weeks.
The head of NNPC revealed this information during a media briefing following his appearance before the Senate Ad hoc committee that is investigating the turnaround maintenance projects of the country's refineries.
He stated, "We completed the mechanical work on the refinery as we announced in December. The refinery now has crude oil in stock.
We are currently conducting regulatory compliance tests, which are necessary for every refinery before it can start operations.
I can assure you that the Port Harcourt refinery will commence operations in two weeks."
However, despite the assurance, the refinery had not started operations two months after the statement was made.
Ukadike said, “Yes when we visited the place, the MD told us that the refinery was almost ready and by the end of July, they would start producing. It has been turned into a new one they changed all the armoured cable to brand new and everything there is almost like a brand-new refinery.
“The turnaround on maintenance is very massive and the job is being done day and night. All hands are on deck to make sure that they meet that target. By ending of July the refinery should be ready.”
