An important step toward Nigeria’s economic development and energy independence has been taken with the successful re-streaming of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd. The refinery started processing crude oil on Tuesday and loading petroleum products, such as Household Kerosene (HHK) or kerosene, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) or diesel, and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or gasoline, into trucks for distribution. In due time, further products will also be shipped.
Mr. Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPC Ltd., celebrated the start of product loadout with a brief ceremony in Port Harcourt. He praised the accomplishment as significant for Nigeria’s energy industry. He stated that the refinery’s successful opening heralds a new era of energy security and economic advancement for the country.
Kyari expressed gratitude to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his strong support and commitment to the refinery’s rehabilitation, emphasizing that the President’s leadership played a key role in ensuring energy security. He also extended thanks to the NNPC Ltd. Board of Directors, staff, and contractors for their efforts in overcoming challenges to bring the refinery back online.
“We are also deeply appreciative of the patience shown by Nigerians and the trust they have placed in NNPC Ltd. to deliver on our promise of revamping the nation’s refineries,” said Kyari.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Mr. Farouk Ahmed, also congratulated NNPC Ltd. on this milestone and reaffirmed his agency’s continued support for the completion of rehabilitation work at the country’s other refineries.
The PHRC rehabilitation project is a comprehensive Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation & Commissioning (EPCIC) initiative aimed at restoring the refinery to full operational capacity. Notably, the project has achieved over 16 million man-hours with zero Lost Time Injury (LTI), underscoring its safety and efficiency.
NNPC Ltd. is set to continue efforts toward further revitalizing Nigeria’s refining capacity, with the goal of reducing the country’s dependence on imported refined products and boosting economic development.
