The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has started supplying crude oil for the test-running of the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited, according to NNPCL officials. This development has been confirmed by oil marketers who also stated that the plant will provide refined petroleum products such as petrol, diesel, and others to 12 states including Abia, Rivers, Akwa Ibom, and Delta.
The NNPCL has mentioned that the ongoing test-running of the plant will be completed soon and commercial production of refined products will begin shortly. However, experts and downstream operators have stated that the cost of refined products may reduce with the operation of the Port Harcourt and Dangote refineries, but it may not lead to a significant price crash.
The Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPCL, Olufemi Soneye, confirmed that the Port Harcourt refinery's mechanical phase has been successfully completed, with all vital components installed. He further stated that industry-based testing, including checks for leaks, air, line blowing, flushing, drying, steam out, calibration, plant inerting, and crude oil introduction, is currently underway, and production of refined products is expected to commence shortly, following adherence to global best practices.
