The Port Harcourt Refinery, owned by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), has commenced operations after undergoing rehabilitation and modernisation.

NNPC spokesman, Olufemi Soneye, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday, that the refinery is now in operation.

Soneye said: “Today marks a monumental achievement for Nigeria as the Port Harcourt Refinery officially commences crude oil processing. This groundbreaking milestone signifies a new era of energy independence and economic growth for our nation.

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“Hearty congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the NNPC Board, and the exceptional leadership of GCEO Mele Kyari for their unwavering commitment to this transformative project. Together, we are reshaping Nigeria’s energy future!”

Soneye said truck loading will also commence on Tuesday, adding that the NNPCL is also “working tirelessly to bring the Warri Refinery back online soon”.

The refinery, managed by the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited (PHRC), with 210,000 bpd refining capacity located at Alesa, Eleme, in Port Harcourt, comprises two operational units which were established in 1965 and 1989.

The old plant refines a capacity of 60,000 barrels per day (bpd), while the new plant refines 150,000 bpd.

It would be recalled that the Federal Government, under former President, Muhammadu Buhari, had in March 2021 secured a $1.5 billion loan to rehabilitate the facility which contract was awarded to an Italian firm, Tecnimont S.P.A, a subsidiary of Maire Tecnimont Group.

Malam Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd. is leading the team to inspect the first lifting of petroleum product from the facility after its rehabilitation.

The Star