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BREAKING: Port Harcourt Refinery Resumes Operations, Dispatches First Batch Of Petroleum Products At 60,000 bpd
The older unit, commissioned in 1965, handles 60,000 bpd, while the newer facility, established in 1989, processes 150,000 bpd.
Port Harcourt, Rivers State- The Port Harcourt Refinery, one of Nigeria’s flagship oil facilities, has resumed operations after undergoing an extensive upgrade and modernization that began in 2021.
The facility dispatched its first batch of petroleum products on Tuesday, November 26, following a comprehensive upgrade that began in 2021.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mallam Mele Kyari, inspected the facility on Monday, November 25, ahead of its reopening. During the visit, Kyari highlighted the refinery’s pivotal role in advancing Nigeria’s energy security.
Port Harcourt, the refinery consists of two units with a combined processing capacity of 210,000 barrels per day (bpd). The older unit, commissioned in 1965, handles 60,000 bpd, while the newer facility, established in 1989, processes 150,000 bpd.
The refinery’s operations are set to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel, producing essential products such as Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), diesel, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG). This development is expected to bolster domestic energy supply, drive economic growth, and enhance Nigeria’s foreign exchange stability.
Femi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPCL, lauded the achievement.
He said, “Today marks a monumental achievement for Nigeria as the Port Harcourt Refinery officially commences crude oil processing. This groundbreaking milestone signifies a new era of energy independence and economic growth for our nation.”
The facility’s revival aligns with Nigeria’s broader strategy to revamp its oil sector and increase local refining capacity, reducing the country’s vulnerability to global energy price shocks.
“Hearty congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the NNPC Board, and the exceptional leadership of GCEO Mele Kyari for their unwavering commitment to this transformative project. Together, we are reshaping Nigeria’s energy future!”