The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has reaffirmed that it will maintain the progress made on the Port Harcourt refinery.
The NNPCL gave this assurance on Tuesday night through a statement signed by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye.
“The Board and Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) express heartfelt appreciation to Nigerians for their support and excitement over the safe and successful restart of the 60,000 barrels-per-day Old Port Harcourt Refinery,” Soneye said.
“This achievement marks a significant step forward after years of operational challenges and underperformance.
“We are, however, aware of unfounded claims by certain individuals suggesting that the refinery is not producing products.
“For clarity, the old Port Harcourt refinery is currently operating at 70% of its installed capacity with plans to ramp up to 90%.”
Soneye said the refinery is producing the following daily outputs: Straight-Run Gasoline (Naphtha): Blended into 1.4 million liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS or petrol) and Kerosene: 900,000 liters.
Others are Automotive Gas Oil (AGO or Diesel): 1.5 million liters, Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO): 2.1 million liters and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG): Additional volumes.
He added that it is worth noting that the refinery incorporates crack C5, a blending component from the NNPCL’s sister company, Indorama Petrochemicals (formerly Eleme Petrochemicals) to produce gasoline that meets required specifications.
According to him, blending is a standard practice in refineries globally as no single unit can produce gasoline that fully complies with any country’s standards without such processes.
Additionally, Soneye said the NNPCL has made substantial progress on the new Port Harcourt refinery which will begin operations soon without prior announcements.
“We urge Nigerians to focus on the remarkable achievements being realized under the able and progressive leadership of President Bola Tinubu and to support efforts aimed at delivering more dividends to the nation,” he said.
“Malicious attacks on clear progress only undermine the significant strides made by NNPC Ltd. and the country.
“Let us move forward together in building a stronger and more self-sufficient energy sector.”
