After years of anticipation, the Port Harcourt Refinery has officially resumed operations following a major renovation and modernization project that began in 2021. The $1.5 billion rehabilitation, funded through a contract secured by the Federal Government, marks a significant milestone for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Under the supervision of Mallam Mele Kyari, Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), the first trucks loaded with petroleum products are set to leave the facility on Tuesday. Kyari personally toured the refurbished facility on Monday night, overseeing the final preparations for the refinery’s long-awaited reopening.
Situated in Alesa Eleme, Port Harcourt, the refinery complex features two operational plants established in 1965 and 1989, with a combined capacity of 210,000 barrels per day. The older unit has a processing capacity of 60,000 barrels per stream day, while the newer unit can handle up to 150,000 barrels daily.
The restart of operations at Port Harcourt’s refinery is anticipated to help curb Nigeria’s reliance on imported petroleum products, reducing the strain on foreign exchange reserves. Besides meeting the demand for premium motor spirit (PMS), the facility will also produce diesel, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), and other refined products.
As the refinery’s output begins to flow, many hope it will stabilize the domestic fuel market and offer relief to consumers. The NNPCL remains committed to ensuring the refinery meets production targets, reducing the country’s vulnerability to global fuel price fluctuations.
