By Yinka Olopade
Thursday November 28, 2024
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The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, said on Wednesday that petroleum products from the Port Harcourt Refinery Company (PHRC) are exclusively for the NNPCL retail outlets for now.
The products are petrol, diesel, and kerosene, and they are for retail outlets operated by the NNPCL.
Production of products resumed at the PHRC in Eleme, Port Harcourt, River State on Tuesday with an assurance to roll out at least 200 trucks daily.
But Soneye said the refinery was yet to begin bulk sales of its products and that it was yet to open its purchase portal.
The clarification came on a day the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) said its members were awaiting the new petrol price template from the refurbished PHRC.
According to Soneye, the NNPCL has not fully dispensed the product it procured from the Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals.
The statement reads: “We have not yet commenced bulk sales, and we have not yet opened the purchase portal as we are still finalizing the necessary processes.
“At present, the products we are selling are what we bought from the Dangote Refinery, which includes Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) fees.
“The product from Port Harcourt is currently for our retail stores. Our prices are regularly reviewed and adjusted as required.”
Yesterday, PETROAN, through its National President, Dr. Billy Harry, said the NNPCL was yet to fix a new rate.
The association said: “The National Headquarters of Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) Abuja would like to inform the media and the general public that no new price for PMS has been released by the NNPCL Port Harcourt Refinery.
“Members of PETROAN only bought PMS with the old pricing template awaiting new prices. We are excited that the production and loading of refined petroleum products have commenced at the Port Harcourt Refinery and we are expectant that soon the price of PMS will be stated by NNPC to the benefit of Nigerians.”
Recall that a press statement by Soneye had confirmed that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery is currently operating at 70% capacity, producing significant volumes of petroleum products daily and that the refinery produces the following outputs daily:
Straight-Run Gasoline (Naphtha): Blended into 1.4 million liters of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS or petrol).
Kerosene: 900,000 liters.
Automotive Gas Oil (AGO or diesel): 1.5 million liters.
Low Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO): 2.1 million liters.
Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG): Additional volumes.
Blending to Meet Specifications
To meet required gasoline specifications, the refinery blends Straight-Run Gasoline with crack C5, a component from Indorama Petrochemicals. NNPC noted that this blending process is standard practice worldwide, as no single refinery unit can produce gasoline that complies fully with any country’s standards without additional processing.
NNPC disclosed that efforts are underway to increase the refinery’s capacity from 70% to 90%. Meanwhile, substantial progress has also been made on the new Port Harcourt Refinery, which is expected to commence operations soon.
The NNPC dismissed claims by some individuals alleging the refinery is not operational, describing such statements as “unfounded.” The company emphasized the importance of focusing on achievements under the leadership of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who has prioritized revitalizing the nation’s energy sector.
The company called on Nigerians to support its ongoing efforts to transform the energy landscape and to refrain from undermining progress with baseless criticism.
The restart of the Port Harcourt Refinery is a significant step in Nigeria’s journey toward energy self-sufficiency, promising improved availability of fuel products and reduced dependence on imports.
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