The Nigerian National Petroleum Cooperation (NNPCL) Port-Harcourt Refinery is producing only diesel, this is according to reports circulating in the media. It has been revealed that NNPCL has resumed operations at the old Port Harcourt Refinery, which was originally built in 1965. Contrary to earlier announcements, the refinery that has started crude oil processing is not the new facility commissioned in 1989 with a capacity of 150,000 barrels per day (bpd), but the old refinery with a capacity of just 60,000 bpd.
NNPCL had previously stated that the Port Harcourt Refinery in Rivers State had commenced crude oil processing, with the refinery expected to operate at 60% capacity, producing 60,000 bpd. This announcement was made by Femi Soneye, NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, who also mentioned that truck loading had started on November 26, 2024.
However, sources close to the refinery’s operations revealed that the 1965-built refinery, which can only produce diesel, is the one currently in operation. “The old refinery is running, but you can’t get petrol (PMS) from it; it only produces diesel. The part responsible for petrol production is not yet functional,” one source stated.
The new refinery, which has the capacity to produce 150,000 bpd, is still far from being operational. According to the sources, it could take until 2026 before the new refinery is ready for commissioning. “If the old refinery is commissioned, its impact will be insignificant as Nigeria will not feel the benefits,” another source commented.
The Port Harcourt Refinery has faced multiple delays in restarting production, with several missed deadlines in the past. While the 60,000 bpd capacity of the old refinery is a step forward, it falls short of addressing the country’s growing demand for petrol. The new facility, once operational, is expected to provide a more substantial boost to Nigeria’s domestic oil refining capacity.
As of now, it appears that the much-anticipated new Port Harcourt Refinery remains a distant goal, with the country’s energy challenges continuing despite the reactivation of the older plant. The government’s announcement, therefore, has raised questions about the true status of the refinery and the timeline for addressing Nigeria’s refining needs.