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Kaduna, 2nd Port Harcourt Refineries Undergoing Major Overhaul, Says NNPC Ltd.

Published

2 days ago

Jan 3, 2025.

NNPC says refineries are going through full refurbishment
They made this statement in response to Ex-President Obasanjo’s remarks
They have invited him to witness their work

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has announced that the 150,000 barrels per day (bpd) Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries are currently undergoing a comprehensive overhaul aimed at meeting global operational standards.

This overhaul, according to the company, is not typical turnaround maintenance (TAM) but a full rehabilitation designed to transform the refineries into world-class facilities.

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Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd., made the statement in response to former President Olusegun Obasanjo’s recent remarks questioning the operational status of the Port Harcourt refinery.

Obasanjo had expressed doubts about the refinery’s functionality, suggesting that the Nigerian government had misled the public by claiming that rehabilitated refineries were operational. He specifically referred to advice from Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC), which had reportedly raised concerns over the Port Harcourt refinery’s viability due to corruption.

In his response, Soneye clarified that the rehabilitation efforts at both the 60,000 bpd Port Harcourt refinery and the Warri refinery were significant steps forward, highlighting that these were not mere refurbishments but comprehensive overhauls intended to bring the facilities up to global standards.

He added that similar efforts are also underway at the second Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries, both of which are expected to return to full production capacity once the projects are completed.

Soneye also invited Obasanjo to visit the rehabilitated refineries and witness firsthand the progress being made under the leadership of NNPC Ltd. He emphasized that NNPC Ltd. highly values the former president’s insights and views, noting his contributions to Nigeria’s national development.

“We extend an invitation to our esteemed former president to join us in this historic journey. His wisdom and experience are invaluable, and we deeply appreciate his insights and guidance, which will always be welcomed and cherished,” Soneye stated.

The NNPC Ltd. representative also took the opportunity to highlight the company’s significant transformation over recent years. He pointed out that NNPC Ltd. has evolved from being a loss-making state entity into a profit-oriented global energy leader. Under this new model, NNPC Ltd. has expanded its focus beyond oil and gas into integrated energy solutions. The company is now also developing cleaner, cheaper, and sustainable energy alternatives to meet the country’s growing energy demands.

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Soneye credited NNPC Ltd.’s progress to the visionary leadership of the company’s board and management team, led by Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) Mele Kyari, as well as the transformative policies of President Bola Tinubu’s administration in the energy sector.

As the overhaul of the refineries progresses, NNPC Ltd. remains committed to ensuring that these vital facilities contribute to Nigeria’s energy security and economic growth. The successful rehabilitation of the refineries is seen as a critical step toward reducing the nation’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products and enhancing domestic production capacity.