The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd), Mr. Mele Kyari, has clarified the blending process associated with the Old Port Harcourt Refinery, asserting that it is necessary to meet the specifications required for petroleum products in different countries. Kyari made this statement in response to reports questioning the refinery’s activities, emphasizing that blending is a standard and essential practice to prevent off-spec products that could harm vehicles.
Kyari explained that blending is a global refining practice, required to adjust petroleum products to meet regional standards. He noted, “If you don’t blend, you will end up with off-spec products, which will damage your vehicles.” He further invited human rights activist Mr. Femi Falana and others who have raised concerns to tour the refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna to verify their operations firsthand.
In a related statement, NNPC Ltd. reaffirmed that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery is operational, with loading activities in full swing, countering claims to the contrary. NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, clarified that the refinery is running at 70% capacity and plans are in place to increase output to 90%.
The comments come in light of recent reports that the refinery has been blending “Cracked C5 petroleum resins” with other products, instead of processing crude oil. NNPC Ltd. rejected these claims, insisting that blending is part of the refining process and the refinery is producing standard products for the Nigerian market.
The issue of blending has sparked significant discussion, with stakeholders, including those from the Dangote Refinery, weighing in on the practice.
Kyari also commended the intervention of President Bola Tinubu, whose executive orders are helping to drive more investments into Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, promising further job creation. Additionally, Kyari congratulated the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG) on the completion of its new headquarters in Lagos, calling for continued cooperation between the union, NNPC, and the government.
President Tinubu has praised NNPC for its successful revival of the Port Harcourt refinery, which began product loading operations on November 26, 2024. He also urged the company to accelerate the reactivation of the second Port Harcourt refinery and the Warri and Kaduna plants.
