The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has scheduled September 2024 for the commencement of commercial operations at the Port Harcourt Refinery.
During a press briefing in Abuja on Monday, NNPCL’s Chief Financial Officer, Umar Ajiya, confirmed that the refinery’s petroleum products will undergo testing prior to distribution to the domestic market in September.
Billy Gillis-Harry, National President of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria, had previously indicated that the refinery was on track for its operational launch.
This announcement marks a revised timeline, following several missed deadlines.
In July, NNPCL’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, projected an August start date for the refinery, which has the capacity to process 250,000 barrels per day.
The company had also proposed March and July 2024 as potential start dates after the refinery’s mechanical completion in December 2023.
