Port Harcourt refinery commences operations – FG

The Federal Government has announced the commencement of operations at the Port Harcourt Refining and Petrochemical Company in Rivers State on Thursday.

It was announced that the facility would begin operations on December 20, 2023, once the first phase of construction at the plant was completed.

Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), who joined members of the Refinery Steering Committee to inspect the facility, commended the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited and Nigerians in general on the achievement.

The NNPC, in 2021, signed a contract with Tecnimont SPA for the $1.5bn rehabilitation programme of the Port Harcourt Refining Company.

“The meeting today coincides with the commencement of operations at the Port Harcourt refinery,” Lokpobiri stated at the refinery.

He said “This is to announce to Nigerians that in fulfillment of our pledge to complete phase one of the Port Harcourt refinery by the end of 2023, and the subsequent streaming of phase two in 2024, we happily announce the mechanical completion of flare start-up on December 20, 2023.

“This heralds the commencement of the production of petroleum products after the Christmas break. We want to thank Nigerians for their patience and trust in the NNPC to deliver on our promise and mandate in the rehabilitation of our refineries.”