P’Harcourt refinery producing fuel—NNPC

Contrary to claims, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) said that its Port Harcourt refinery in Rivers State is presently producing products.

The Port Harcourt refinery is managed by the NNPCL through the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited (PHRC).

It commenced operations on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, after undergoing rehabilitation and modernisation.

The NNPC Ltd also shared pictures of trucks lifting fuel from the refinery.

Some individuals later expressed scepticism about the development, saying it was an attempt to deceive Nigerians.

They countered the claim by NNPC Ltd that the refinery had commenced operations.

Speaking on the reactions that trailed the refinery’s commencement of production, the NNPC Ltd’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, said the Port Harcourt Refinery was operating at 70% of its installed capacity, with plans to ramp up to 90%.

Soneye disclosed that the refinery was producing Straight-Run Gasoline (Naphtha) blended into 1.4 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), fondly called petrol; 900,000 litres of kerosene; 1.5 million litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), otherwise known as diesel; 2.1 million litres of Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO); and additional volumes of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), well known as cooking gas.

Soneye added: “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.B

“lendingg 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 realised 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.”