Port Harcourt Refinery Begins Crude Oil Production at 60% Capacity
The Port Harcourt Refinery, owned by Nigeria, has commenced crude oil processing, marking a significant step in the nation’s efforts to revive local refining capacity.
Olufemi Soneye, spokesperson for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), announced on Tuesday that the refinery has begun operations at 60% capacity. The facility is currently processing 60,000 barrels of crude oil per day, a notable milestone after repeated delays in its reopening.
The refinery, which has a combined installed capacity of 250,000 barrels per day, has undergone extensive rehabilitation as part of the Federal Government’s strategy to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported petroleum products and improve the nation’s energy security.
This development follows years of postponed deadlines and challenges in restoring the facility to optimal functionality. The recommencement of operations is expected to alleviate some pressure on Nigeria’s petroleum imports, improve local supply, and potentially stabilize fuel prices in the long term.
The NNPCL spokesperson highlighted that efforts are ongoing to ramp up production towards achieving full operational capacity in the coming months.
The refinery’s successful restart has been widely anticipated, as its functionality is crucial to Nigeria’s ambition of reducing import dependency and enhancing domestic refining capabilities. Industry stakeholders are now closely monitoring its performance and its impact on the country’s downstream oil sector.
