NNPC Commences 60,000 bpd Production Phase at Port Harcourt Refinery

Production at the 60,000 barrels per day phase of the Port Harcourt petroleum refinery in Rivers Atate was formally started by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) on Tuesday.

Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC, spoke during a brief ceremony to commemorate the start of product loading at the refinery. He called the start of load-out operations a huge accomplishment for Nigeria.

According to him, it marks the beginning of a new phase of the nation’s economic development and energy independence.

According to him, the action was taken in fulfillment of its commitment to re-stream the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), indicating the start of the plant’s processing of crude oil and the distribution of petroleum products to the market.

According to Kyari, trucks have started loading petroleum products, such as Household Kerosene (HHK), also known as kerosene, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), also known as diesel, and Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), also known as gasoline. Other product slates will also be shipped.

He gave special thanks to President Bola Tinubu for his steadfast understanding and support of the rehabilitation project as well as his perseverance in securing the nation’s energy security.

Kyari also thanked the Board of Directors of the NNPCL and all of the employees for their dedication and support, which were evident in the refinery’s streaming.

Despite all the difficulties, he praised the contractors for their excellent work in making sure the refinery was delivered.

Additionally, he expressed gratitude to Nigerians for their patience and for their rightful expectations that the business would fulfill regarding the other refineries.

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“Today, loading will be observed. I should also mention that you cannot accomplish such outcomes without the backing of the leadership. And we really believe that we would not have met this fate if it were not for Mr. President’s encouragement, tenacity, and patience.

And we must all praise him since we reached this point due to his tremendous pressure. And we’re overjoyed. I also want to thank our contractors, our regulators, and my coworkers both inside and outside the refinery for their assistance and support in getting us to this point.

“It is feasible. its nation and its refinery have demonstrated that everything is achievable with perseverance, the proper focus, and the leadership backing that we currently possess. “And under President Tinubu’s leadership, this country is doing fantastically,” Kyari stated.

In addition to congratulating the NNPC on reaching the milestone, Mr. Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Executive of the Nigerian Midstream & Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), promised his organization’s ongoing assistance in completing the rehabilitation work at the remaining refineries.

“My colleagues have been working very closely with the contractor and the management of PHRC, and I just wanted to confirm that all the regulatory support that the refinery required was granted and offered by the NMDPRA,” he said. As the contractor stated, the upgrading to modern technology is what matters.

This is an ancient plant that has returned using modern technology. Additionally, we worked closely with them and are especially supportive to make sure that all regulatory obligations were fulfilled. The flare is another thing we’ve observed.

“The flare is really clean, if you can all see it. The absence of smoke indicates that the plant is operating efficiently and in accordance with environmental regulations.

In his intervention, project director Maire Tecnimont, Caccaviello, Luca, emphasized that the 60,000 bpd facility is currently running at full capacity and commended the entire team for the project’s success.

“We performed admirably. Thanks to everyone, we were able to get the facility into full production. Working on the other portion of the facilities area with the same zeal and commitment will be the next stage shortly.

“And soon, we will have a good result on the rest of the plant, despite all the challenges that lie ahead,” he continued.

Restoring the refinery to complete operation and renewal is the goal of the Engineering, Procurement, Construction, Installation, and Commissioning (EPCIC) project.

According to the data, it has so far completed more than 16 million man-hours with no Loss Time Injury (LTI).