The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, had informed the Senate on March 28 that the refinery would start delivering refined products within two weeks after reaching mechanical completion, indicating the conclusion of the rehabilitation work. However, operational commencement is pending regulatory and compliance tests.

According to Olufemi Soneye, NNPL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, the Port Harcourt refinery has received crude oil and all crude lines are active. However, regulatory and compliance tests are ongoing, and the refinery will commence operations upon their completion.

The delay is disappointing for stakeholders, who recognize the potential benefits of having both government-owned refineries like those in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna, and the private Dangote refinery operational. This move is expected to reduce forex expenditure by cutting down on importation costs.

Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited has supplied over 475,000 barrels of crude oil to the PHRC from the Bonny Oil and Gas Terminal, facilitating the restart of refining capacity. Dr. Osagie Okunbor, the Country Chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria and Managing Director of SPDC, emphasized that this supply restart would make petroleum products readily available and decrease Nigeria’s dependence on imports.

The successful resumption of crude supply was confirmed by Odita Nnajiofor, the terminal’s Installation Manager, who highlighted the rigorous checks undertaken to ensure pipeline integrity and terminal functionality.

As the nation awaits the full operationalization of the PHRC, adherence to best practices and meeting regulatory measures is crucial to facilitate a smooth transition to domestic refining capabilities.

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