After multiple delays, the Port Harcourt refinery, with a capacity of 210,000 barrels per day, is poised to finally begin operations by the end of July. This announcement comes from Chief Ukadike Chinedu, the National Public Relations Officer of the Independent Marketers Association of Nigeria.
The refinery, comprising two units, underwent extensive repair work since its shutdown in March 2019. Originally scheduled for completion in April, the refinery’s reopening was postponed, but Chinedu assures that it’s now “99 per cent ready.”
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Despite previous setbacks, Chinedu remains optimistic about the refinery’s impact on the market. He anticipates increased competition, particularly with the impending launch of the Dangote Refinery, which promises to end Nigeria’s petrol imports starting next month.
While the refinery has achieved mechanical completion and is ready to operate, regulatory approvals, especially from international bodies overseeing nuclear materials, are pending. Once these approvals are secured, operations can commence, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s quest for energy self-sufficiency and reduced import expenditures.
