Port Harcourt Refinery Set to Resume Operations, Receives 475,600 Barrels of Oil

• Port Harcourt Refinery to restart operations with 475,000 barrels of crude oil delivery from Shell, emphasizing collaborative efforts
• NNPC Ltd completes Phase One of rehabilitation work on Port Harcourt Refinery’s Area 5 Plant, achieving mechanical completion within timeframe

The Port Harcourt Refinery gears up to commence operations by delivering 475,600 barrels of crude oil by Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited.

According to a statement released by Shell, this significant progress owes its success to meticulous planning, cooperative efforts, and the unwavering commitment of teams from the Bonny Oil and Gas Terminal (BOGT) and Port Harcourt Refinery Company (PHRC).

Various essential tasks, such as pressure and leak testing for pipeline integrity, were diligently carried out at the terminal by relevant subsidiaries of NNPC Limited. Additionally, integrity checks and maintenance activities on the Oil and Gas Terminal, BOT Refinery export pumps, and associated instrumentations were accomplished through the dedicated efforts of the BOT operations and maintenance teams.

Shell emphasized, “The resumption of crude oil supply from the Bonny Oil and Gas Terminal to Port Harcourt Refinery marks a significant milestone and a positive shift for the industry and the nation. Both teams’ collaborative efforts and dedication were pivotal in surmounting challenges and ensuring a safe and efficient supply operation.”

This achievement aligns with the government’s goal of ensuring a consistent supply of petroleum products to the downstream market, bolstering the nation’s economy.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd announced the completion of rehabilitation work on Area 5 Plant of the PHRC, fulfilling its commitment to achieve mechanical completion within the stipulated timeframe.

Rehabilitation efforts have been underway at the Refinery for over two years, with NNPC Ltd pledging to complete Phase One of the project, including mechanical completion and flare start-up, by December 31st, 2023.

During an inspection tour of the rehabilitation project, Mr. Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, revealed that as of December 15th, 2023, 84.4% of Area 5 Plant and 77.4% of the entire rehabilitation project had been completed.