Kaduna, Second Port Harcourt Refineries Undergoing Total Overhaul – NNPCL
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has announced that the 150,000 barrels per day (bpd) Port Harcourt Refinery and the Kaduna Refinery are undergoing a complete overhaul to meet world-class standards.
In a statement released on Thursday by Olufemi Soneye, NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, the company clarified that the ongoing rehabilitation of the 60,000 bpd Port Harcourt Refinery and Warri Refinery is not a routine Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) but a comprehensive upgrade aimed at achieving global standards.
This statement came in response to comments by former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who had expressed skepticism about the operational status of the rehabilitated refineries. Obasanjo cited advice from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) during his administration, which questioned the viability of the Port Harcourt Refinery due to corruption. He also alleged that NNPCL misled Nigerians by suggesting the refineries were fully operational.
Countering these assertions, Soneye highlighted the significant strides made by the NNPCL in revamping the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries. He emphasized that similar efforts are ongoing at the second Port Harcourt Refinery and the Kaduna Refinery to bring them up to global standards for sustainable operations.
“The NNPCL remains committed to ensuring the refineries are overhauled and maintained to function efficiently, aligning with international benchmarks,” Soneye stated.
The overhaul is seen as a critical step in addressing Nigeria’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products and enhancing the country’s energy security.
