On Thursday, the Federal Government declared the successful completion of rehabilitation work on Area-5 Plant at the Port Harcourt Refining Company in Rivers State, announcing that the first phase of the plant, set to refine 60,000 barrels of crude oil, would commence operation after the Christmas break.
This development is expected to yield approximately 10.2 million liters of Premium Motor Spirit and other refined products.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, overseeing the refinery, revealed that the second phase would conclude in the fourth quarter of 2024, enabling the facility to refine 150,000 barrels of crude daily.
Additionally, the government stated that the importation of cooking gas would diminish post-Christmas as the refinery begins producing refined products.
The Port Harcourt refinery’s rehabilitation, spanning over two years, reached a milestone with the completion of phase one, as confirmed during an inspection tour by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, on December 20, 2023.
Lokpobiri expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their patience, emphasizing that the completion of the first phase at Port Harcourt refinery marks the beginning, with subsequent phases planned for refineries in Warri and Kaduna. Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, highlighted that the refinery would contribute to the production of cooking gas, reducing its importation.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, reported that as of December 15, 2023, 84.4% of Area-5 Plant and 77.4% of the entire rehabilitation project had been completed. Kyari affirmed the commitment to complete phase two by the last quarter of 2024.
The Chairman of NNPCL Board, Chief Pius Akinyelure, deemed the achievement historic, emphasizing the goal of stabilizing petroleum prices and generating revenue.
Managing Director of Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited, Ibrahim Onoja, assured the facility’s durability for decades, providing value to Nigeria through job creation, industrial feedstock, revenue, foreign exchange, and energy security.
The $1.5bn rehabilitation project, covering Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation, and Commissioning phases, achieved the mechanical completion milestone with a stellar Health, Safety, and Environment record.
In conclusion, the Port Harcourt refinery’s successful rehabilitation signifies a pivotal step toward enhancing Nigeria’s energy independence, economic stability, and job creation, with a focus on sustainable production and reduced reliance on imports
