NNPC Completes Rehabilitation of Port Harcourt Refinery’s Area 5 Plant
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company, NNPC Ltd., has announced the successful completion of the mechanical phase of the rehabilitation work on the Area 5 Plant of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), fulfilling its commitment to achieving this milestone by December 31, 2023.
Over the past two years, extensive rehabilitation efforts have been underway at the Port Harcourt Refinery, and the recent announcement by the NNPC confirms that 84.4% of the Area 5 Plant and 77.4% of the entire rehabilitation project have been completed as of December 15.
During an inspection tour of the project, Mr. Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd., expressed satisfaction with the progress, stating that the completion of Phase One of the rehabilitation project is a testament to the company’s dedication to delivering value to Nigerians. He commended the efforts of the staff and contractors involved in the project.
Chief Pius Akinyelure, Chairman of the NNPC Board, described the achievement as “historic” and emphasized the board’s commitment to further increasing production to stabilize petroleum prices in the country and generate more revenue.
Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), hailed the milestone as a significant step towards achieving the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, thanking Nigerians for their patience and trust in NNPC Ltd.’s ability to deliver on such a monumental project.
The Minister of State for Petroleum (Gas), Ekperikpe Ekpo, highlighted the importance of re-streaming the refinery, noting its positive impact on the nation’s Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) industry as LPG is a major by-product of the refinery.
Fabio Del Cioppo, Managing Director of Tecnimont Nig. Ltd., one of the EPC contractors for the project, reiterated his company’s commitment to fulfilling the terms of the contract.
The rehabilitation project, estimated at about $1.5 billion, encompasses various phases including engineering, procurement, construction, installation, and commissioning. The successful mechanical completion of the Area 5 Plant marks a significant milestone in the project’s progress, achieved with an excellent Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) record of over 9.5 million man-hours with zero Loss Time Injury (LTI).
Dr. Joseph Obele, immediate past Chairman of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) in Rivers State, confirmed that test runs are underway and production will commence once certified fit.
Mr. Richard Akinaka, founder of Abitto Global Services Limited, emphasized that the revitalization of the Port Harcourt Refinery is not only about enhancing energy capabilities but also a powerful catalyst for economic growth.
Source: Vanguard News
