The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has described as untrue some claims that the Port Harcourt Refinery is not producing petroleum products.
The national oil company made the clarity in an update by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, Tuesday night.
NNPCL clarified that the old Port Harcourt Refinery is currently operating at 70 per cent of its installed capacity, with plans to increase up to 90 per cent.
This was as it stated that it has made a substantial progress on the new Port Harcourt Refinery and gave a hint that it would soon commence operations, without prior announcements.
The NNPCL Board and Management thanked Nigerians for their support over the safe and successful restart of the 60,000 barrel-per-day old Port Harcourt Refinery.
NNPCL noted that the achievement marked a significant step forward after years of operational challenges and under-performance.
“The Board and Management of the NNPCL express heartfelt appreciation to Nigerians for their support and excitement over the safe and successful restart of the 60,000 barrels-per-day old Port Harcourt Refinery.
“This achievement marks a significant step forward after years of operational challenges and underperformance.
“We are, however, aware of unfounded claims by certain individuals suggesting that the refinery is not producing products.
“For clarity, the old Port Harcourt Refinery is currently operating at 70 per cent of its installed capacity, with plans to ramp up to 90 per cent.
“The refinery is producing the following daily outputs: Straight-Run Gasoline (Naphtha): Blended into 1.4 million liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS or petrol); Kerosene: 900,000 liters;
“Automotive Gas Oil (ACO or Diesel): 1.5 million liters; Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO): 2.1 million liters; Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
“It is worth noting that the refinery incorporates crack C5, a blending component from our sister company, Indorama Petrochemicals (formerly Eleme Petrochemicals), to produce gasoline that meets required specifications.
“Blending is a standard practice in refineries globally, as no single unit can produce gasoline that fully complies with any country’s standards without such processes.
“Additionally, we have made substantial progress on the new Port Harcourt Refinery, which will begin operations soon without prior announcements.
“We urge Nigerians to focus on the remarkable achievements being realised under the able and progressive leadership of President Bola Tinubu, GCFR.
“We urged Nigerians to support efforts aimed at delivering more dividends to the nation. Malicious attacks on clear progress only undermine the significant strides made by NNPCL and the country.
“Let us move forward together in building a stronger and more self-sufficient energy sector,” NNPCL stated in the release.