The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has provided an update on the ongoing challenges with the Port Harcourt Refinery. Despite several promises from President Bola Tinubu about starting petrol production at the facility, operations have yet to commence fully.
Adedapo Segun, NNPCL’s Executive Vice President for Downstream, recently explained the delays in Lagos. He noted that while the mechanical completion of the refinery was achieved in December 2023, and distillation began in August 2024, technical issues have delayed full-scale operations. These setbacks are linked to safety measures and the high temperatures required during the refinery’s processes, which can reach up to 300 degrees Celsius.
Segun further compared the situation to the Dangote Refinery, stating that both facilities experienced a gap between mechanical completion and the start of actual fuel production. He revealed that this is normal for such projects and urged for patience.
He expressed optimism that the Port Harcourt Refinery would begin producing middle distillates soon. “We gave our projections based on data available. The Port Harcourt refinery, a brownfield refinery, achieved mechanical completion last December and by August, we fired up the burners, meaning the distillation process has started. So, the Port Harcourt refinery has started the distillation process, but yet to produce products to tank specification at the moment,” Segun said.
He elaborated on the challenges faced during the distillation process, explaining that the high temperatures involved pose safety risks and require careful management. The refinery has had to cool down and fix issues multiple times since August, but Segun remains confident that all is set now.
Comparing the Port Harcourt Refinery’s progress to that of the Dangote Refinery, Segun highlighted that both facilities faced similar timelines between mechanical completion and product output. He emphasized the importance of safety and following proper processes, even if it means adjusting previously set timelines.
Segun concluded by reiterating his optimism that the Port Harcourt Refinery will start producing middle distillates to tank this month, barring any unexpected issues. He stressed that the process cannot be forced at such high temperatures and that safety remains the top priority.