BREAKING: Port Harcourt Refinery Finally Begins Production After 7 Missed Deadlines

• The Port Harcourt Refinery is set to begin production after multiple delays, having missed seven previous deadlines.
• The NNPCL officially announced the commencement of crude oil processing, marking a milestone for Nigeria’s energy sector.
• Rehabilitation of the refinery began in 2021 with a $1.5 billion contract, but delays were caused by safety checks and final-stage issues.
• The project is seen as a step toward greater energy independence and economic growth for Nigeria.

The Port Harcourt Refinery is finally poised to begin production after a series of delays, LEADERSHIP has learned.

As of October 2024, the refinery had missed seven deadlines for starting operations, with the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) previously setting multiple target dates, including those in March, August, and September 2024, all of which passed without fulfillment.

However, in a message from a reliable source, the NNPCL announced a significant milestone: “Today (Tuesday) marks a monumental achievement for Nigeria as the Port Harcourt Refinery officially commences crude oil processing. This groundbreaking milestone signifies a new era of energy independence and economic growth for our nation.”

The statement went on to express congratulations to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the NNPC Board, and the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) Mele Kyari for their dedication to the project, emphasizing that this development will reshape Nigeria’s energy future.

The rehabilitation of the refinery, which began in 2021, was contracted to Maire Tecnimont SpA, with a $1.5 billion contract signed in April 2021. Although the refinery was declared mechanically complete in December 2023, production was delayed due to ongoing safety checks and issues in the final stages of the rehabilitation process, according to the NNPCL.