The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has reaffirmed its commitment to revamping the nation’s refining capacity, highlighting significant milestones achieved at the Port Harcourt Refinery.
The company also addressed recent claims questioning the refinery’s productivity, assuring Nigerians of ongoing efforts to strengthen the energy sector.
In a statement issued by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, the NNPCL expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their unwavering support following the successful restart of the 60,000 barrels-per-day Old Port Harcourt Refinery. This marks a key milestone in efforts to restore the facility’s functionality after years of underperformance.
Contrary to claims suggesting otherwise, NNPCL clarified that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery is currently operating at 70% of its installed capacity, with plans to increase this to 90% in the near term. The refinery’s daily production outputs include:
- 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
- Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG): Additional volumes
The company emphasized the incorporation of crack C5, sourced from Indorama Petrochemicals, to produce gasoline meeting global standards. Blending, a standard practice in refineries worldwide, is essential to achieving compliance with specific fuel specifications.
NNPCL also disclosed that significant progress has been made on the new Port Harcourt Refinery, with operations set to commence soon. However, the company has opted not to make further announcements until the facility is operational.
The NNPCL urged Nigerians to focus on the progress being made under President Bola Tinubu’s administration, describing malicious attacks on these achievements as counterproductive. The company reiterated its commitment to delivering a self-sufficient energy sector, calling for collective support in building a stronger and more resilient economy.
Soneye reaffirmed that NNPCL remains dedicated to its mandate, promising continued strides toward enhancing Nigeria’s energy security and delivering tangible dividends to the nation.