The Federal Government has declared the successful mechanical completion of rehabilitation work on the Area-5 Plant of the Port Harcourt Refining Company in Rivers State. Following this milestone, the facility is poised to refine 60,000 barrels of crude oil daily after the Christmas break. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), overseeing the refinery, anticipates the completion of the second phase in the fourth quarter of 2024, ultimately enabling the processing of 150,000 barrels per day.
Moreover, the government foresees a reduction in the importation of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), commonly known as cooking gas, as the refinery resumes the production of refined products.
The rehabilitation, ongoing for over two years, aimed to achieve the mechanical completion of phase one of the Old Port Harcourt Refinery by December 31, 2023. During an inspection, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, announced the successful completion on December 20, 2023, and expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their patience.
The Minister highlighted that the completion of the first phase at the Port Harcourt Refinery paves the way for similar progress in the Warri and Kaduna refineries. He emphasized that the mechanical aspect of the plant is complete, marking the beginning of phases one and two for Port Harcourt and subsequent efforts in other locations.
The Minister of State Petroleum Resources (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, added that the refinery’s production would include cooking gas, potentially reducing imports. The Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, commended the progress, stating that approximately 84.4% of the Area-5 Plant and 77.4% of the entire rehabilitation project had been completed as of December 15, 2023.
Kyari assured the completion of the second phase in the fourth quarter of 2024, acknowledging the efforts of NNPCL’s staff and contractors. The Chairman of NNPCL Board, Chief Pius Akinyelure, and the Managing Director of Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited, Ibrahim Onoja, also expressed pride in the historic achievement, emphasizing the potential economic benefits, job creation, revenue generation, and energy security.
The Port Harcourt Refinery rehabilitation project, costing about $1.5 billion, spans Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation, and Commissioning phases. The successful completion aligns with a commitment to health, safety, and environmental standards, with over 9.5 million man-hours recorded without a loss-time injury. The rehabilitation aims to ensure the refinery’s longevity, offering value to Nigeria and addressing its energy needs.
Quest :Emmanuel kelvin