The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has assured the public that the ongoing rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries is aimed at achieving world-class standards in oil production. The 150,000 barrels per day (bpd) capacity of the Port Harcourt and Kaduna refineries is undergoing a comprehensive overhaul, a process NNPC Ltd. describes as more than the traditional Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) typically performed on refineries in the past.
In a statement issued on Thursday, Olufemi Soneye, NNPC Ltd.’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, clarified the nature of the rehabilitation being undertaken at both the 60,000 bpd Port Harcourt Refinery and Warri Refinery. According to Soneye, the process is designed not only to restore functionality but to ensure the facilities operate in line with global standards, making them more efficient and productive in line with international best practices.
The clarification comes after former President Olusegun Obasanjo raised concerns regarding the operational status of the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries. Obasanjo, in his remarks, expressed doubts about the effectiveness of the rehabilitation efforts.
Addressing these concerns, Soneye emphasized that the ongoing rehabilitation work is far beyond routine maintenance and is designed to transform the refineries into state-of-the-art facilities that will significantly enhance Nigeria’s refining capacity.
“The rehabilitation we are undertaking is not just a typical turnaround maintenance. It is a comprehensive overhaul with a focus on bringing these refineries up to world-class standards,” Soneye explained. “NNPC Ltd. is committed to ensuring that these facilities contribute meaningfully to the country’s energy security and economic development.”
The rehabilitation is expected to boost Nigeria’s refining capacity, reduce the country’s reliance on imported refined petroleum products, and contribute to job creation. With the completion of the overhaul, the refineries will play a critical role in supplying both domestic and regional markets with refined petroleum products.
NNPC Ltd. has assured that the works will be completed on schedule, further solidifying the company’s goal to revitalize Nigeria’s energy sector.
