The Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, expects the resumption of Port Harcourt Refinery Operations by April.
Mechanical works on the Port Harcourt refinery are complete after receiving over 450,000 barrels of crude oil.
Repair works at the Kaduna and Warri refineries are also nearing completion, as announced by Kyari. The Kaduna refinery is projected to commence operations by December, contributing to the country’s refining capacity.
Despite approving $1.5 billion for Port Harcourt refinery repairs three years ago, the Senate has now dismissed fraud allegations in Turn Around Maintenance TAM.
This refinery is among the largest in Nigeria and vital to the country’s oil processing infrastructure.
Despite Africa’s status as the top oil producer, Nigeria historically relied on imported petroleum products due to inadequate domestic refining capacity.
The Port Harcourt refinery’s rehabilitation, divided into three phases by Timipre Sylva, aims for 90% production in the first 18 months.
Built in 1965, the Port Harcourt refinery stands as Nigeria’s oldest refining facility, symbolizing the nation’s oil industry’s historical development. Alongside refineries in Warri and Kaduna, it played a crucial role in Nigeria’s oil processing sector but has faced operational challenges in recent years.
Despite its rich history, Nigeria’s refinery facilities have experienced periods of inactivity, highlighting the need for substantial investment and maintenance to optimize their operational efficiency and contribute to the nation’s energy security.
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