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Tag: Refinery

  • Kyari: N/Delta youths to storm Abuja over failed promises on Port Harcourt refinery

    Kyari: N/Delta youths to storm Abuja over failed promises on Port Harcourt refinery

    Groups, under the aegis of Coalition of Niger Delta Youths Against Poverty, Insecurity & Environmental Degradation (CONDYAPIED), have expressed disappointment over failure of the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, to operationalise the Port Harcourt Refinery before the end of September, 2024, as promised.

    The NNPCL Boss had severally assured Nigerians that the Port Harcourt refinery would start local refining and that prices of petroleum products would reduce drastically before the deadline of September 2024.

    One month later, neither of the Port Harcourt, Warri or Kaduna refineries is functioning, safe for only Dangote refinery, as marketers still import refined petroleum into the country, thereby causing serious hike in the price of the products.

    A press statement on Sunday, jointly signed by Engr. Jonas Igariga, Coordinator of the Coalition, and Comrade Jack Opobo, General Secretary, the Coalition called on Kyari to tender his resignation letter and apologize to Nigerians.

    “In a sane society where leaders have conscience, the likes of Mele Kyari should burry their heads in shame and tender their resignation and apologies to Nigerians for plunging the entire nation into untold hardship”, the Coalition said.

    The Coalition averred that, inspite of huge funds injected into the Port Harcourt refinery, Kyari prefers importation of refined products, to making local refinery operational, despite his many promises.

    “The NNPCL GCEO has failed Nigerians, times without number, on the issue of Port Harcourt, Kaduna and Warri refineries, after blowing over 3 billion dollars on the project. It has been discovered that Mele Kyari and his goons have no plans to fix any refinery as they prefer to import adulterated products into the country and milk the citizens dry.

    “NNPCL cabal and their importers are deliberately sabotaging the good intentions of President Tinubu by making sure there are queues and Nigerians buy the product at any price fixed and given to them by the oil Lords. We shall not fold our hands and allow this to happen”, the statement added.

    According to the statement, several warnings had gone to Kyari in the past, to fulfill his promise by making sure the Port Harcourt refinery became operational in September; but to no avail.

    “We read the statement signed by the Coalition of Niger Delta Youth On Energy Reforms and Transparency in the Oil and Gas Sector, urging Kyari to ensure that the Port Harcourt Refinery became operational before the end of September as he promised.

    “The group expressed concern about the energy crisis in the country caused by the non-functionality of local refineries, continued dependence on the importation of petroleum products, and the resulting cost implications for the country.

    “They noted that the failure of NNPC has further worsened the country’s energy crisis and impoverished the people of the oil-producing Niger Delta.

    “The group alleged that the Port Harcourt refinery is being planned to be converted into a blending plant. They claimed that substandard petroleum products from Russia will be mixed with chemicals and sold to the people of the Niger Delta.

    “This is basically our fear too. We at the CONDYAPIED are not only concerned about the corruption going on at the NNPCL, but we are grately worried over the plan to convert the Port Harcourt refinery to a mere blending plant. We shall resist this with all our might. We shall shut down Abuja in protest, in the coming weeks, and occupy the NNPC towers until the needful is done.

    “We will not allow our refinery to be converted to blending plant, because we are aware of the potential environmental degradation and terrible impacts on our people. This move could expose the people of Niger Delta to harmful chemicals from environmental pollutions and degradation caused by the waste products released into the environment, if it is allowed”, the Coalition submitted.

  • Niger Delta lawyers ask NNPCL Boss, Kyari to make Port Harcourt Refinery operational Before End Of September

    Niger Delta lawyers ask NNPCL Boss, Kyari to make Port Harcourt Refinery operational Before End Of September

    The Coalition of Niger Delta Youth On Energy Reforms and Transparency in the Oil and Gas Sector, has urged the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, Mele Kyari, to ensure that the Port Harcourt Refinery becomes operational before the end of September as he promised.

    In a press conference jointly addressed on Monday by Barr. Dickens A. Opu and Barr. Werigbelegha Zinake, the group lamented that, despite the billions of naira that have been earmarked and disbursed for the functionality of the Port Harcourt refinery, the refining plant remains non-operational.

    The group expressed concern about the energy crisis in the country caused by the non-functionality of local refineries, continued dependence on the importation of petroleum products, and the resulting cost implications for the country.

    The Lawyers noted that the failure of the Mele Kyari-led management of the NNPC to revamp local refineries has further worsened the country’s energy crisis and impoverished the people of the oil-producing Niger Delta, who are forced to buy fuel at higher rates than most parts of the country.

    The group alleged that the Port Harcourt refinery is being planned to be converted into a blending plant. They claim that substandard petroleum products from Russia will be mixed with chemicals and sold to the people of the Niger Delta.

    The Lawyers expressed concern over the potential environmental impact of converting the Port Harcourt refinery into a blending plant. They expressed fear that this move could expose the people of the Niger Delta to harmful chemicals from environmental pollution and degradation caused by the waste products released into the environment.

    The statement read: “As we may all be aware, all is not well in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria. The level of corruption is suh that if urgent steps are not taken to address the malaise, Nigeria might go into extinction.

    “We say this with all sense of patriotism given the precarious situation in the economic outlook in the country. It is indeed worrisome that an oil-producing country like ours is experiencing an energy crisis occasioned by the non-functionality of our refineries and the continued dependence on the importation of petroleum products and the attendant cost implication for the country.

    “It is indeed a shame that successive administrations in the country have done little or nothing to ensure the functionality of the country’s refineries. For example, despite the billions of naira that have been earmarked and disbursed for the functionality of the Port Harcourt refinery, the refining plant remains comatose.

    “This is on the heels that over 2 years ago, Mele Kyari the helmsman of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited indeed promised that the Port Harcourt refinery would commence operations on several occasions. This has not happened and it has further plunged the country into an energy crisis.

    “The attendant impact on the socio-economic life in the Niger Dental region can only be imagined. A situation where oil-producing communities are made to purchase fuel at a rate higher than most parts of the country is an anomaly perpetuated by the Mele Kyari-led management of the NNPCL. This is indeed a sorry tale in our quest for sustainable growth and development.

    “Those behind this anomaly are indeed bent on further impoverishing the people of the Niger Delta region. The sin of the Niger Delta people as it stands with the present arrangement is that they are considered less important in the socioeconomic standing of the country even though it is an oil and gas producing region in the country, whereas citizens of the country in other parts of the country will be buying at a cheaper rate from Dangote refinery and paying far less for a better product without so many chemicals in it.

    “We wish to state that we have it on good authority that the Port Harcourt refinery is being packaged to become a blending plant where substandard petroleum products from Russia will be mixed with chemicals and sold to the Niger Delta people.

    “This is not only acceptable, it also shows a gross disdain for the Niger Delta people. Those in authority do not care about the negative impact of this plan on the livelihood of the Niger Delta people. The Niger Delta people would be subjected to untold hardship by paying more for petroleum products, and also the attendant consequence in other critical sectors of the Niger Delta economy.

    “The economic value chain around the operations of the Port Harcourt refinery would be greatly disrupted and bring about a regime of hopelessness and the resort to crime and criminality to make ends meet. Let us not forget that the level of crime and criminality of proportional to the economic standing of the people.

    “The move by the Mele Kyari led NNPCL to convert the Port Harcourt refinery into a blending plant for substandard petroleum products from Russia and other European destinations comes with the attendant health implications for the people of the region.

    “The people would indeed be exposed to harmful chemicals from environmental pollution and degradation from the waste products that would be released into the environment as a consequence.

    “The rot in the administration of the oil and gas sector in Nigeria is phenomenal. The Mele Kyari-led NNPCL has taken the lack of transparency and accountability to another height. The country has lost huge revenues to the activities of the cartel that is aided and abetted by the Mele Kyari-led NNPCL. We are tempted to say that the Niger Delta people have been slated for extinction.

    “The Coalition of Niger Delta Youth On Energy Reforms and Transparency in the oil and Gas Sector frowns at such a disposition which is a dangerous trend that must be halted and addressed with a sense of urgency. The Niger Delta people are an important contributor to the revenue generation of the country and as such it must not be treated with disdain and levity.

    “We are therefore calling on the federal government to look into the plight of the Niger Delta people and do all that is necessary to improve the lot of the people through the entrenchment of transparency and accountability in the administration of the oil and gas sector in the country. The first step in this regard is to ensure the full functionality of the Port Harcourt refinery and other refineries in the country.

    “The second step is to institute reforms the administration of the oil and gas sector in the country with emphasis on the oil and gas-producing communities that are home to the major source of revenue for the country. The third step is to institute a probe into the administration of the oil and gas sector by the Mele Kyari-led NNPCL.

    “We are calling on the relevant authorities to urgently address the lingering issues in the oil and gas sector in Nigeria. The socioeconomic outlook of the country is worrisome and the country does not have the luxury of time as the situation in the country is getting grimmer by the day.

    “The time to act is now and it is our firm belief that the relevant authorities would act in the best interest of the Niger Delta people and the country at large.”

  • Navy dismantles massive 2 million litres per day refinery in Rivers

    Navy dismantles massive 2 million litres per day refinery in Rivers

    The Nigerian Navy (NA) has dismantled a massive refinery site with a capacity of two million litres per day along the Ogoloma-Bakana waterways in Rivers State.

    Spokesperson for the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Abdullahi Maiwada disclosed this during the monthly news conference, organised by the Strategic Communication Interagency Policy Committee (SCIPC) hosted by the NCS on Thursday in Abuja.

    He said the feat was achieved through the contributions of the Nigerian Navy’s  aggressive campaign against crude oil theft under its ‘Operation Delta Sanity’, which he said also destroyed 15 illegal refinery sites, 17 wooden boats, and 10 refining ovens across Bayelsa, Rivers, Delta and Ondo States.

    “These efforts have contributed to Nigeria’s crude oil production reaching 1.658 million barrels per day, reinforcing the Navy’s role in safeguarding the nation’s economic interests. Additionally, 72 bags of cannabis sativa were seized, and four suspects, including three Ghanaians and one Beninois, were arrested,“ Maiwada said.

    He said that the Nigeria Military troops  have neutralised 1,166 terrorists, arrested 1,096 suspected terrorists and criminal elements, and rescued 721 kidnapped hostages in August.

    He said the troops arrested key terrorist leaders in an effort to cripple  their groups` activities, with the aim of addressing the menace of kidnappings across the nation.

    “Among those taken off the battlefield were key terrorist leaders and commanders, including Munir Arika, Sani Dilla, and Ameer Modu in the Northeast, and Kachalla Dan Ali Garin Fadama, Sani Baka Tsine, and Ibrahim in the Northwest.

    “The strategy of dismantling these terror groups by targeting their leadership, commanders, and collaborators is significantly diminishing their capacity to carry out major offensives,“ he said.

    He said that the military during the period under review recovered 391 weapons, more than 15,000 rounds of ammunition, and disrupted oil theft activities worth more than N5 billion.

    The spokesperson stated that the NCS, as part of its efforts to suppress smuggling to the barest minimum,  recorded 83 seizures across various commands.

    He said that the seizures include 170,000 litres of  Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 3,083 bags of foreign rice, 1,014 parcels of Cannabis Sativa, 23 vehicles, and other contraband, with a total Duty Paid Value (DPV) of  more than ₦975 million.

    He said that the NCS also intensified its `Operation Whirlwind` to combat the smuggling of petroleum products, especially in border states.

    According to him, the move over the months has led to the interception of seven PMS trucks, the sealing of 12 retail outlets, and the seizure of 466,000 litres of PMS and 23 vehicles.

    “Investigations have led to the prosecution of seven suspects, and three marketers have been fined by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), with sealed filling stations transferred for further action,“ he said.

    He added that the service in August collected ₦277.5 billion in import duties and ₦15.8 billion in excise duties, demonstrating its commitment to maximising revenue.

    He said that the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) anti-smuggling efforts  led to   the interception of 97 trafficked victims,  with 87 cases handed over to the National Agency for the Prohibition of trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) and 10 reunifications.

    “The NIS also launched an anti-corruption campaign, conducted workshops at five international airports, and upgraded its Country Signing Certificate Authority (CSCA) and Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) to meet  the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) standards.

    “Additionally, NIS collaborated with the Netherlands on Hostmanship Training and eased out 61 foreign nationals to address irregular migration,“ he said.

  • Dangote Refinery can only produce 36% of petrol demand with 90,000 BPD output

    Dangote Refinery can only produce 36% of petrol demand with 90,000 BPD output

    Consulting firm Energy Aspects Ltd is forecasting about 90,000 barrels a day of petrol (PMS) production for the Dangote oil refinery in the fourth quarter of 2024.

    At full output, the refinery is expected to be able to produce about 330,000 barrels a day (bpd) of petrol (about half of its capacity), according to Randy Hurburun, senior refinery analyst at consultancy Energy Aspects Ltd.

    The 90,000 bpd output will be equivalent to about 36% of Nigeria’s 2023 demand.

    Nigeria received close to 250,000 barrels a day in petrol imports last year, according to data from analytics firm Vortexa Ltd.

    This means the Refinery will not solve the problem of fuel queues currently being experienced in the country.

    Key to the plant’s gasoline output is a unit called a reformer, which produces blendstock for petrol. That’s started operating, with gasoline production expected to begin by the end of the week, Devakumar Edwin, Dangote Industries Ltd.’s vice president for oil and gas, said.

    Key to raising output further is another unit called a residue fluid catalytic cracker.

    The refinery will blend naphtha with reformate from the reformer to make gasoline that’s suitable for the west African market.

    The President of Dangote Group, Aliko Dangote, this week presented the first sample of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol.

    Energy Aspects forecasts the refinery could increase petrol output to almost 250,000, but only by the second half of 2025.

  • Port Harcourt refinery launch postponed for the sixth time

    Port Harcourt refinery launch postponed for the sixth time

    For the sixth time, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has postponed the much-anticipated launch of the Port Harcourt refinery, raising further concerns about the country’s energy infrastructure and the reliability of its refining capabilities.

     

    Initially slated to commence operations in 2021, the refinery’s kick-off has faced multiple delays due to various technical, financial, and logistical challenges.

    This latest delay has added to the growing frustration among industry stakeholders and the public, who are eager to see the refinery operational to reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products.

     

    NNPC has not provided a new specific launch date, but sources within the organization suggest ongoing repairs and upgrades are taking longer than expected. Mele Kyari, the Group CEO, announced in July that the refinery would be operational by early August. Kyari had previously stated in 2019 that NNPC would complete all four refineries before the end of former President Muhammadu Buhari’s government.

    Speaking before the Senate in July, Kyari claimed, “By the end of the year, this country will be a net exporter of petroleum products.”

    However, as August approaches its midpoint, the refinery has yet to commence operations, creating concerns of another failed promise from NNPC.

     

    In response to inquiries, NNPC reiterated that it was on course despite the early August promise expiring.

    The Port Harcourt refinery, once operational, is expected to have a capacity of refining 210,000 barrels of crude oil per day, significantly boosting domestic fuel production and contributing to Nigeria’s economic growth.

    However, with repeated delays, questions about the refinery’s viability and NNPC’s ability to manage such large-scale projects are becoming increasingly pronounced.

  • Why Dangote refinery will disrupt Europe’s Oil & Gas industry – OPEC

    Why Dangote refinery will disrupt Europe’s Oil & Gas industry – OPEC

    The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) has highlighted the significant impact that the $20 billion Dangote Refinery is expected to have on Europe’s oil and gas market.

    In its June 2024 Oil Market Report, OPEC listed the Dangote Refinery as one of the key suppliers of diesel and jet fuel that could disrupt Europe’s energy industry, particularly the Northwest Europe (NWE) gasoil sector. This development, OPEC said, will boost the Nigerian economy.

    The Dangote Refinery, owned by Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dan­gote, has been recognised as the world’s largest single-train refinery. It began operations in January and has already started influencing global crude flows. Experts predict that as the refinery ramps up to full capacity, it will continue to pressure NWE gasoil performance, especially with additional supplies coming from the Middle East and Mexico’s Olmeca refinery.

    The OPEC report revealed that “upside potential for higher production levels from Nigeria’s Dangote refinery, coupled with strong flows from the Middle East and new supplies from the Mexican Olmeca refinery, will likely exert pressure on NWE gasoil performance in the mid-term”.

    It stated further, “Europe is one of the world’s largest purchas­ers of refined petroleum products and relied on imports from Asia and the US after the European Union banned the use of Russian diesel in the bloc.”

    Devakumar Edwin, Vice President of Oil and Gas at Dangote Industries Limited, revealed that the refinery has already exported its first jet fuel cargo to Europe and has exported 90% of its 3.5 billion litres of jet fuel and diesel production.

    “It is good to note that from the start of production, more than 3.5 billion litres, which represents 90 percent of our production, have been exported,” Edwin said.

    BP has already begun transporting jet fuel from Dangote to Rotterdam, following a successful tender in May. OPEC noted that while the jet/kerosene crack spread in Rotterdam showed a slight decline in June due to supply-side dynamics, demand from the aviation sector is expected to rise, potentially increasing pressure on the European market.

    In its initial months of operation, the Dangote Refinery scaled up to 400,000 bpd, delivering a range of products including diesel, jet fuel, naphtha, and fuel oil to both domestic and international markets. The refinery is also set to begin gasoline production, Nigeria’s primary fuel type, by mid-August.

    OPEC stated that “in June, the jet/kerosene crack spread in Rotterdam against Brent showed a slight decline, influenced by sup­ply-side dynamics. Despite signs of improving air travel activities, subdued jet fuel demand from the aviation sector weighed on the product market.

    “Going forward, European jet/kerosene demand is expected to see upward pressure as con­sumption levels from the aviation sector continue to pick up in the coming months.”

    Aliko Dangote, President of Dangote Group, emphasised the refinery’s goal to process Nigerian crude and add value within Nigeria. However, he noted that the facility remains open to sourcing feedstock from other countries, including Libya, Angola, and Brazil, to enhance its operations.

     

  • NNPC should buy and run my refinery – Dangote

    NNPC should buy and run my refinery – Dangote

    Africa’s richest man, Aliko Dangote has said he is willing to sell his oil refinery to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.

    Aliko spoke in an interview with Premium Times on Sunday.

    His statement comes amid a dispute between the refinery and Nigeria’s regulatory authorities in Nigeria.

    According to Dangote “Let them (NNPCL) buy me out and run the refinery the best way they can. They have labelled me a monopolist,” Dangote said.

    “That’s an incorrect and unfair allegation, but it’s okay. If they buy me out, at least, their so-called monopolist would be out of the way.

    “We have been facing fuel crisis since the 70s. This refinery can help in resolving the problem but it does appear some people are uncomfortable that I am in the picture.

    “As you probably know, I am 67 years old, in less than three years, I will be 70. I need very little to live the rest of my life.

    “I can’t take the refinery or any other property or asset to my grave. Everything I do is in the interest of my country.

    “So, I am ready to let go, let the NNPC buy me out, run the refinery. At least the country will have high-quality products and create jobs.”

    In May 2023, the billionaire’s refinery was inaugurated. The 650,000 barrel-per-day sits on a 2, 635 hectares of land located in the free zone area of Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos.

    The facility began the production of diesel on January 12, but petrol supply is billed for August after numerous factors — including crude supply challenges and a fire outbreak at the facility — stalled production.

    The constraints on accessing crude feedstock from international oil companies (IOCs) in Nigeria forced the company to import crude from countries like Brazil and the US to bridge the meet supply.

    According to the Premium Times report, Dangote also said the obstacles his refinery is facing seem to have vindicated friends and associates who advised him to tread with caution as he pumped billions of dollars into the Nigerian economy.

    “Four years ago, one of my very wealthy friends began to invest his money abroad,” Dangote added.

    “I disagreed with him and urged him to rethink his action in the interest of his country.

    “He blamed his action on policy inconsistencies and shenanigans of interest groups.

    “That friend has been taunting me in the past few days, saying he warned me and that he has been proven right.”

    On July 18, Farouk Ahmed, chief executive officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), said local refineries, including the Dangote refinery, were producing inferior products compared to imported ones.

  • Refinery fire incident contained effectively – Dangote

    Refinery fire incident contained effectively – Dangote

    Following the fire incident at Dangote refinery earlier on Wednesday, the group has released an official statement, stating that the fire has been put out.

    The statement describes the fire incident as minor, stating that it has been contained effectively.

    The statement reads partly “Dangote Refinery contains minor fire at its effluent treatment plant.

    “We have swiftly contained a minor fire incident at our effluent treatment plant (ETP), today Wednesday, 26th June.

    “There is no cause for alarm as the refinery is operating and there is no recorded injury or bodily harm to all our staff on duty,” the statement said.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reported earlier that explosions were heard on Wednesday after a major fire outbreak at the refinery located at the Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos State.

    Plans are ongoing for the refinery to start the production of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) soon.

  • IOCs plotting for our refinery to fail – Dangote

    IOCs plotting for our refinery to fail – Dangote

    Mr Devakumar Edwin, the Vice President of Dangote Oil and Gas Industries, has accused International Oil Companies (IOCs) in Nigeria of trying to frustrate the survival of Dangote Oil Refinery and Petrochemicals.

    Edwin told the newsmen in Lagos on Sunday.

    Edwin alleged that the IOCs were deliberately and wilfully frustrating the refinery’s efforts to buy local crude by jerking up high premium price above the market price.

    He claimed that this forced Dangote to import crude from countries as far as the United States, with its attendant high costs.

    Edwin lamented the activity of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) in granting licences, indiscriminately, to marketers to import dirty refined products into the country.

    He said, “The federal government issued 25 licences to build refinery, and we are the only one that delivered on promise.

    “In effect, we deserve every support from the government. It is good to note that from the start of production, more than 3.5 billion litres, which represents 90 per cent of our production, have been exported.

    “We are calling on the federal government and regulators to give us the necessary support in order to create jobs and prosperity for the nation,” he said.

    He claimed that while the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) was trying its best to allocate the crude for the company, the IOCs were deliberately and willfully frustrating all efforts to buy the local crude.

    “It would be recalled that the NUPRC, recently met with crude oil producers as well as refineries owners in Nigeria, in a bid to ensure full adherence to Domestic Crude Oil Supply Obligations (DCSO), as enunciated under section 109(2) of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA).

    “It seems that the IOCs’ objective is to ensure that our Petroleum Refinery fails. It is either they are deliberately asking for ridiculous/humongous premium or, they simply state that crude is not available.

    “At some point, we paid six dollars over and above the market price. This has forced us to reduce our output as well as import crude from countries as far as the US, increasing our cost of production.

    “It appears that the objective of the IOCs is to ensure that Nigeria remains a country which exports Crude Oil and imports refined Petroleum Products.

    “They (IOCs) are keen on exporting the raw materials to their home countries, creating employment and wealth for their countries, adding to their GDP, and dumping the expensive refined products into Nigeria – thus making us to be dependent on imported products,” he added.

    Edwin said: “It is the same strategy the multinationals have been adopting in every commodity, making Nigeria and Sub-Saharan Africa to be facing unemployment and poverty, while they create wealth for themselves at our expense.

    “This is exploitation – pure and simple. Unfortunately, the country is also playing into their hands by continuing to issue import licences, at the expense of our economy, and at the cost of the health of the Nigerians who are exposed to carcinogenic products.

    “In spite of the fact that we are producing and bringing out diesel into the market, complying with ECOWAS regulations and standards, licences are being issued, in large quantities, to traders who are buying the extremely high sulphur diesel from Russia and dumping it in the Nigerian Market.

    “Since the US, EU and UK imposed a Price Cap Scheme from 5th February, 2023 on Russian Petroleum Products, a large number of vessels are waiting near Togo with Russian ultra-high sulphur diesel and, they are being purchased and dumped into the Nigerian Market.

    “In fact, some of the European countries were so alarmed about the carcinogenic effect of the extra high sulphur diesel being dumped into the Nigerian market that countries like Belgium and the Netherlands imposed a ban on such fuel being exported from its country, into West Africa, recently.

    “It is sad that the country is giving import licences for such dirty diesel to be imported into Nigeria when we have more than adequate petroleum refining capacity locally,” he said.

  • After years of dormancy, finally, Port Harcourt refinery begins operations

    After years of dormancy, finally, Port Harcourt refinery begins operations

    Finally, the Port Harcourt Refining Company, PHRC, Limited, with a combined capacity of 210,000 barrels per day, commenced operation on Wednesday.

    According to a video sighted, the refinery’s flare indicated the commencement of oil refining.

    The development comes months after the Minister of State for Petroleum (Oil) Senator Heineken Lokpobiri said in August that the Port Harcourt refinery will commence operation in December 2023.

    According to the Minister, the objective is to ensure the country stops importing fuel.

    Corroborating Lokpobiri’s stance, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited, NNPCL, declared that importing petroleum products into the country will cease by December 2024.

    The Group Chief Executive Officer of the NNPCL, Mele Kyari, said, “I can confirm to you that by the end of December this year, we will start the Port Harcourt refinery; early in the first quarter of 2024, we will start the Warri refinery, and by the end of 2024, Kaduna refinery will come into operation.

    In March 2021, the Federal Executive Council approved $1.5 billion to rehabilitate the Port Harcourt Refinery.

    Accordingly, data showed that the Nigerian government has spent N11.35 trillion ($25 billion) in the past ten years on fixing the country’s three refineries.

    Meanwhile, with the commencement of Port Harcourt Refinery, stakeholders in the downstream sector said the price of fuel, which is over N617/litre, may drop.