By Ayomide Otitoju
The new 150,000 barrels per day Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) complex is on track to begin operations by mid-2025, according to Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). Kyari made the announcement during a tour of the facility in Rivers State on Tuesday.
He also noted that the revamped old refinery complex, which has already resumed full operations, is capable of supplying petroleum products to 200,000 trucks daily, significantly bolstering Nigeria’s downstream supply chain.
Overcoming Operational Challenges
Kyari attributed delays in the refinery’s rehabilitation to the need for a complete overhaul of its machinery. “We had to ensure that every component was brand new to achieve optimal efficiency and reliability,” he said.
During the tour, Kyari was joined by Ahmed Farouk, CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), underscoring the collaborative efforts to rejuvenate the country’s refining sector.
Infrastructure Improvements
When questioned about the poor condition of access roads leading to the refinery, Kyari announced that the Eleme Road has been included in the NNPCL’s tax credit scheme. Through this initiative, the company has been rehabilitating key roads nationwide in exchange for tax incentives, aiming to ease logistics challenges as the refinery resumes operations.
Truck Loading Operations Commence
Femi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the NNPCL, confirmed that truck loading operations commenced on Tuesday at the Port Harcourt refinery. He added that efforts are underway to bring the Warri Refinery back online in the near future.
A Milestone in Refining Capacity
The Port Harcourt refinery’s rehabilitation signifies a breakthrough after years of setbacks. In 2021, the Federal Government allocated $1.5 billion to restore the facility, which had been shut down since 2019.
Despite being one of Africa’s leading crude oil producers, Nigeria has historically depended on imported petroleum products due to inadequate refining infrastructure. This reliance has been further strained by the removal of fuel subsidies under President Bola Tinubu’s administration in 2023, leading to higher petrol prices across the country.
The completion of the Port Harcourt refinery is expected to enhance local refining capacity, reduce reliance on imports, and stabilize Nigeria’s energy market, marking a critical step towards self-sufficiency in petroleum product supply.
