After several failed commencement deadlines, Port Harcourt Refinery has started processing crude oil production.
The spokesperson of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, Olufemi Soneye, disclosed this on Tuesday.
According to him, the refinery has kicked off with 60 percent capacity.
He noted that the Refinery is processing 60,000 barrels per day of crude.
The Port Harcourt refinery has a combined 250,000 barrels per day capacity.
Recalled that upon his resumption of office in August 2023, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil) Heineken Lokpobiri said the Port Harcourt refinery would be back on stream in December of that year.
In March of the following year, the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Mele Kyari said the refinery would begin production in April.
“We are aware of our nation’s challenges in terms of fuel supply. But we are not here to give excuses. We are focused on delivering this rehabilitation project, our two other refineries, and all other investments towards revamping the nation’s refining capacity,” Kyari said in August when he inspected the rehabilitation work at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) Ltd
“We are hopeful that in 2024, this country will be a net exporter of petroleum products,” he said.
However on Tuesday, Soneye said “Today marks a monumental achievement for Nigeria as the Port Harcourt Refinery officially commences crude oil processing. This groundbreaking milestone signifies a new era of energy independence and economic growth for our nation.”