Port Harcourt Refinery Rehabilitation Is over 90% completed — NNPCL Confirms

The Nigeria National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has announced that the New Port Harcourt Refinery (NPHR) is over 90% complete, with expectations to boost Nigeria’s local refining capacity.

This update was shared by Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPCL, through Ishaku Abdullahi, Executive Vice President, Downstream, during a visit by labour leaders from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) to the facility in Rivers State.

Abdullahi assured that once rehabilitation is complete, the NPHR will rival any refinery worldwide, owing to its modernized facilities and enhanced operational capacity. “This facility, this asset, is under rehab for an upgrade from before, and there is an established process that it should continue. When the rehab is completed, it will be up and running to the state of the art compared to any refinery around the world,” Abdullahi said.

Technical Progress Hits 90% Completion

The NPHR is being upgraded to refine 150,000 barrels per day (bpd), while the existing Old Port Harcourt Refinery (OPHR) will contribute an additional 60,000 bpd. This will create a combined refining capacity of 210,000 bpd.

Abdullahi stated that technical work at the refinery is at an advanced stage, noting that reports from contractors indicate over 90% of the project has been completed. He explained that NNPCL is ensuring strict adherence to global best practices. “From the contractors’ view, the technical work that we are doing and from the report they sent to us are over 90% completed. We’ll deal with that as soon as possible, but we are following through and ensuring that we get value,” he said.

He noted that the combined refining capacity of 210,000 bpd will support Nigeria’s energy sufficiency, reduce reliance on imported fuel, and stabilise the supply of refined petroleum products in the country. “We combine the 60,000 with the 150,000 bpd to 210,000 bpd so that will support our refining processes and products, with the multiplier effects that it will have on our refining products and the finished products that we desire in this country so that we’ll have sufficiency,” Abdullahi explained.

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NNPCL Aims for Long-Term Efficiency

NNPCL also disclosed plans to establish a professional and technical Operations and Maintenance (O&M) team to ensure the facility operates at full capacity after the rehabilitation. This move aims to avoid operational setbacks that previously hindered refinery productivity. “All the refineries that are being rehabbed today, including the old refinery that is up and running, we’ll ensure that we have an established professional and technical O&M team that will continue to operate and maintain our facilities,” Abdullahi said.

This approach, according to NNPCL, is aimed at aligning Nigeria’s refining sector with international standards. By having a dedicated team on-site, NNPCL seeks to ensure the uninterrupted operation of its refineries, thus supporting the government’s goal of achieving self-sufficiency in refined petroleum products.

The refinery’s completion is highly anticipated as Nigerians continue to face the impact of fluctuating fuel prices. The promise of locally refined petroleum products could reduce fuel importation and ease the pressure on foreign exchange reserves.

Labour Leaders Respond to NNPCL’s Progress

Labour leaders from the NLC and TUC, who were present during the facility tour, commended NNPCL for its commitment to the project. They expressed optimism that the refinery’s completion would benefit Nigeria’s economy and alleviate the burden on citizens. “This development is a step in the right direction, and we believe it will reduce the burden of fuel imports,” a labour leader remarked.

The labour unions have been vocal about the need for local refining capacity to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products. The NPHR rehabilitation project is seen as a crucial step toward this goal.

NNPCL’s confirmation of over 90% completion of the Port Harcourt Refinery rehabilitation marks a significant milestone in Nigeria’s quest for self-sufficiency in petroleum refining. With a combined capacity of 210,000 bpd from the NPHR and OPHR, the project promises to support local energy needs and reduce dependence on fuel imports.

NNPCL’s strategy to establish a dedicated O&M team aims to ensure that the facility operates efficiently for years to come. Labour leaders have expressed support for the project, emphasising its potential to strengthen Nigeria’s economy. As work progresses, all eyes remain on NNPCL to see if it can deliver on its promise of a state-of-the-art refinery that rivals the best in the world.