The Port Harcourt Refinery is poised to commence operations after receiving a supply of 475,000 barrels of crude oil from the Shell Petroleum Development Company Limited.
Notably, several crucial activities were undertaken to ensure the refinery’s readiness.
They included pressure and leak testing to verify pipeline integrity by relevant subsidiaries of the NNPC Limited, as well as integrity and maintenance work on the Oil and Gas Terminal, BOT Refinery export pumps, and associated instrumentations.
The mentioned efforts were diligently carried out by the BOT operations and maintenance teams.
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Furthermore, the NNPCL has successfully fulfilled its commitment to achieve mechanical completion of rehabilitation work on Area 5 Plant within the PHRC.
The rehabilitation effort has spanned over two years, and the NNPCL has set a target to complete Phase One of the project (which includes mechanical completion and flare start-up) for the Old Port Harcourt Refinery (Area 5) by December 31, 2023.
During an inspection tour of the rehabilitation project, coinciding with the 15th Refineries’ Rehabilitation Steering Committee Meeting, Mr Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of NNPCL, reported that as of December 15, 2023, 84.4 per cent of Area 5 Plant (a critical component of the refinery) and 77.4 per cent of the entire rehabilitation project have been successfully completed.
Shell’s statement read:
“This significant milestone was made possible through intensive preparations, collaboration and the dedication of the Bonny Oil and Gas Terminal, BOGT and Port Harcourt Refinery Company, PHRC teams.
“The recommencement of crude oil supply from the Bonny Oil and Gas Terminal to Port Harcourt Refinery is a significant achievement and a game-changer for the industry and the country.
“The intensive preparations, collaboration and dedication of both teams involved were instrumental in overcoming challenges and ensuring a safe and efficient supply operation.
“This milestone will support the government’s aspiration of steady supply of petroleum products to the downstream market and other associated benefits to the economy of the nation.”
