The old Port Harcourt Refinery with 60,000 barrels per day (bpd) capacity has reached 84.4 per cent completion, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) confirmed yesterday.

Awarded for $1.5 billion and billed for completion over one year ago, the facility comprises two units.

The old plant, also called Area Five, and the new one with150,000 bpd capacity are to collectively produce 210,000 bpd.

In a statement by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, NNPCL said the extensive two-year rehabilitation project reached a significant milestone, with 84.4 per cent completion of Area 5 plant and 77.4 per cent of the overall rehabilitation project as of December 15, 2023.

During an inspection tour, Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, expressed satisfaction with the progress of work. He emphasised the company’s dedication to restarting the refinery and providing value to Nigerians.

Kyari commended staff and contractors for their exemplary work in achieving the feat.
Chairman of NNPCL, Pius Akinyelure, described the achievement as historic and expressed pride in the refinery’s employees and management.

He said the board was committed to reaching optimal production levels to stabilise petroleum prices and contribute to the country’s revenue.

Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil),  Heineken Lokpobiri, acknowledged the milestone as part of the Renewed Hope Agenda of the current administration, thanking Nigerians for their patience and trust in NNPCL’s capability to deliver on the significant project.

In his remarks, Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, highlighted the positive impact of re-streaming the refinery on the nation’s Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) industry, a major by-product of the infrastructure.

Managing Director of Tecnimont Nigeria Limited, one of the EPC contractors, Fabio Del Cioppo, affirmed the company’s commitment to fulfilling the contract terms.
The rehabilitation project covers engineering, procurement, construction, installation and commissioning phases.