Port Harcourt, – The management of the Port Harcourt refinery, operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has addressed recent reports suggesting a shutdown of the facility, clarifying that operations have been scaled down due to an ongoing upgrade.
Speaking during a facility tour on December 1, Moyi Maidunama, the Executive Director of Operations at the Nigerian Pipeline and Storage Company Limited (NPSC), emphasized that the refinery has not ceased operations.
“Operations at the refinery were not halted but reduced due to necessary improvements being implemented,” Maidunama explained. “We are actively evacuating refined products. Today, several trucks have been loaded, and we intend to continue at this pace.”#He also reassured stakeholders that logistical challenges, including limited truck availability, are being addressed to facilitate efficient product evacuation. “We are currently using a few loading arms but expect these issues to be resolved soon,” he added.
Product Distribution in ProgressMolokwuu Joel, Terminal Manager of the Port Harcourt depot, confirmed that the refinery is actively distributing products, including premium motor spirit (PMS), kerosene, and diesel.
“We have operational loading arms and are ready to load as many trucks as are available. Unfortunately, tanker drivers have been slow to respond, likely due to the weekend,” Joel stated. “If 100 trucks arrive today, we can evacuate them in less than five hours.”
Joel reiterated the readiness of the depot to meet distribution demands, shifting responsibility for delays to the tanker drivers.
Conflicting ReportsThe clarification from NNPCL management follows a report suggesting that operations at the refinery were completely halted, with only the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) running. The CDU produces naphtha, kerosene, and diesel but lacks the capability to refine components needed for PMS. According to sources cited in the report, the CDU’s limited capacity produces insufficient quantities to meet national demand.
The refinery’s full processing capacity of 150,000 barrels per day (bpd) is expected to be achieved in 2026, pending timely funding. The upgrade project has reportedly exceeded $2 billion, raising concerns about meeting deadlines.
The Port Harcourt refinery upgrade is part of broader efforts by NNPCL to revamp Nigeria’s refining capacity and reduce dependency on imported petroleum products. However, challenges, including funding and operational disruptions, continue to affect progress.
NNPCL’s assurances aim to quell public concerns about fuel supply amidst these operational adjustments. The situation remains closely monitored as stakeholders anticipate the completion of the refinery’s full upgrade.