By Abiola Olawale
After experiencing several postponements, the Port-Harcourt refinery in Alesa Eleme, southeast of Port Harcourt, Rivers State, has officially commenced the production of crude oil.
This significant development was announced on Tuesday by Olufemi Soneye, the spokesperson for the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
Soneye added that the refinery has kicked off at 60 per cent capacity. He noted that the Refinery is processing 60,000 barrels per day of crude.
The New Diplomat reports that Port Harcourt refinery can produce 250,000 barrels per day.
This comes after several failed commencement deadlines.
The New Diplomat reports that this comes after the Port-Harcourt refinery had been scheduled to start operations seven times, but missed all deadlines.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) had set multiple dates for the refinery’s operational start, including promises made in March, August, and September 2024, all of which passed without fulfilment.
