The Presidency has confirmed ongoing rehabilitation work on the 150,000 barrels-per-day (bpd) plant at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) in Rivers State, as part of efforts to boost Nigeria’s refining capacity.
Mr. Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu, disclosed this following a fact-finding visit to the refinery’s 60,000bpd facility on Wednesday. He noted that the smaller plant is operating at 70% capacity, with plans to scale production further.
In a detailed statement shared on Thursday, Onanuga highlighted the team’s observations, which dispelled rumors about the refinery’s functionality. Contrary to claims of crude shortages, he confirmed the refinery receives consistent crude supplies and has been producing various petroleum products, including kerosene, diesel, LPG, and petrol.
“The refinery, once considered a ‘dead asset,’ has undergone a major overhaul, transforming it into a 21st-century facility. New pipelines and upgraded parts have replaced components untouched for over 27 years,” Onanuga said.
During the visit, the team also assessed the co-located 150,000bpd refinery, which has been undergoing refurbishment since its commissioning in 1989. Although no completion timeline was provided, workers were seen installing new components with confidence that the plant would soon resume operations.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) had earlier announced the resumption of operations at the smaller refinery, processing 60,000bpd. Spokesman Olufemi Soneye affirmed efforts to increase production, emphasizing that the combined capacity of the two refineries is 210,000bpd.
Onanuga commended the NNPCL and refinery staff for their dedication, describing the progress as a testament to reviving critical national assets.
The revamped facilities are expected to bolster Nigeria’s local refining capacity, reduce reliance on imports, and enhance energy security.
