The old Port Harcourt refinery, which is part of the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited (PHRC), on Tuesday began the first tuck-out of petroleum products in view of the re-streaming of the rehabilitated facility......READ THE FULL STORY>>.....READ THE FULL STORY>>
TNG reports the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) Limited to have hinted that the new Port Harcourt Refinery, however, was yet to begin operations.
The re-streaming and truck loading at the old Port Harcourt refinery signalled the commencement of crude oil processing from the plant and delivery of petroleum products to the market.
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The upgraded old refinery which had an installed production capacity of 60, 000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil was currently operating at 70 per cent of its installed capacity, with plans to ramp up to 90 per cent.
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The refinery is producing the following daily outputs : Straight-Run Gasoline (Naphtha): Blended into 1.4 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS or petrol), Kerosene: 900,000 litres, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO or Diesel): 1.5 million litres.
Others are Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO): 2.1 million litres and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), Additional volumes.
Trucks began loading petroleum products which include PMS, AGO and Kerosene, while other product slates will be dispatched as well.
Malam Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), while marking its first products lifting said the plant would be producing about 200 trucks of products daily.
Kyari described the commencement of loadout activities as a monumental achievement for Nigeria which signified a new era of energy independence and economic growth for the country.
In the bid to ease the distribution of the products, Kyari said the refinery’s access road was captured under the roads being renovated under the road tax credit scheme for improved infrastructure and smooth products delivery.
Meanwhile, some petroleum marketers who witnessed the first loading of petroleum products lauded the NNPC Ltd. for achieving the milestone after many years of being moribund.
Dr Joseph Obele, the National Public Relations Officer (PRO,, Petroleum Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) expressed optimism that with the coming on stream of the refinery, fuel price would be reviewed.
“Indeed it is a dream come true, the plant is up and running. I commend the NNPC Ltd and the host community for realising this project. Marketers now have hope of loading products here,” he said.
High Chief Sunny Nkpe, a community leader and Managing Director Wesham Oil Ltd. said the development would further contribute to the economic development and energy sustainability.
He called for the crude oil processing from the plant to be sustained for Nigerians to feel the impact.
Also speaking, Mr Johnbosco Bosco, the Chairman, Petroleum Tankers Driver (PTD) Branch of the Ngeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), thanked the Federal Government for putting smiles on their faces.
“We are ready to partner with the NNPC Ltd. to ensure that petroleum products reach designated destination. We also want to see that this trend to continue, we want to be loading regularly in this refinery,” he said.
The CEO of Matrix Energy, Abdukabiru Aliyu also expressed delight over the development and urged the NNPC Ltd to sustain it.
Meanwhile, in a statement by Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Limited, the oil firm clarified that substantial progress has been made on the new Port Harcourt Refinery, and that it will begin operations soon without prior announcements.
The statement reads in full: “The Board and Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) express heartfelt appreciation to Nigerians for their support and excitement over the safe and successful restart of the 60,000 barrels-per-day Old Port Harcourt Refinery.
“This achievement marks a significant step forward after years of operational challenges and underperformance.
“We are, however, aware of unfounded claims by certain individuals suggesting that the refinery is not producing products. For clarity, the Old Port Harcourt Refinery is currently operating at 70% of its installed capacity, with plans to ramp up to 90%. The refinery is producing the following daily outputs:
“Straight-Run Gasoline (Naphtha): Blended into 1.4 million liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS or petrol); Kerosene: 900,000 liters; Automotive Gas Oil (AGO or Diesel): 1.5 million liters; Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO): 2.1 million liters and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG): Additional volumes.
“It is worth noting that the refinery incorporates crack C5, a blending component from our sister company, Indorama Petrochemicals (formerly Eleme Petrochemicals), to produce gasoline that meets required specifications.
“Blending is a standard practice in refineries globally, as no single unit can produce gasoline that fully complies with any country’s standards without such processes.
“Additionally, we have made substantial progress on the new Port Harcourt Refinery, which will begin operations soon without prior announcements.
“We urge Nigerians to focus on the remarkable achievements being realized under the able and progressive leadership of President Bola Tinubu and to support efforts aimed at delivering more dividends to the nation. Malicious attacks on clear progress only undermine the significant strides made by NNPC Ltd and the country.
“Let us move forward together in building a stronger and more self-sufficient energy sector”.
