Port Harcourt, Nigeria (The Bureau Newspaper) — Nigeria’s Port Harcourt refinery has marked a major milestone with 180 consecutive days of uninterrupted operations, earning applause from oil marketers and industry stakeholders.
The Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association (PETROAN) commended the federal government and the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) for successfully rehabilitating the facility, calling it a “remarkable achievement.”
Joseph Obelea, PETROAN’s Publicity Secretary, praised the stakeholders involved for their “professionalism and expertise” in delivering what he described as a “world-class rehabilitation project.” He also acknowledged the cooperation of host communities during the refurbishment process.
Obelea confirmed that PETROAN members are now loading diesel and kerosene from the refinery, while NNPCL retail marketers are distributing petrol. “This development has not only ensured a steady supply of petroleum products but has also helped eliminate the circulation of fake kerosene and diesel in the market,” he said.
The refinery, which began operations four months ago, recently started processing crude oil with a target output of 60,000 barrels per day (bpd). However, the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) cautioned that the refinery’s revival would not immediately lead to a drop in fuel prices.
The milestone signals progress in Nigeria’s efforts to revive its refining capacity and reduce dependence on imported petroleum products. Analysts say sustained operations at the facility could strengthen energy security and stabilize local supply chains in the long term.
