The Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Limited, NNPCL, Mele Kyari has revealed that Kaduna and Warri refineries will start operations in December, 2024.
This comes as Kyari also announced that the Port Harcourt refinery and Petrol Chemicals will kick start operation in August.
The GMD/CEO of NNPCL made this known on Monday at a critical interactive session with the National Assembly joint committees on finance.
Specifically, he said Nigeria will be a net exporter of petroleum products by the end of this year.
Kyari, while reacting to comment by chairman of Senate committee on finance, Senator Sani Musa said
“Yes, I am aware that there are several comments in the public space around refining business and domestic production, including production that will come from the commissioned Dangote refinery. Yes, this country, as we have said, will be a net exporter of petroleum products by the end of this year.
“We’re very optimistic that by December this country will be a net exporter. That means a combination of production coming from us, and also from Dangote refinery and other smaller producing companies that we know are in line to do this.
“So I can confirm to you, Mr. Chairman, that by the end of the year, this country will be a net exporter of petroleum products.
“And specific to NNPC refinery. As you recall, and we have spoken to a number of your committees, that it is impossible to have the Kaduna refinery come to operation before December, it will get to December. Both Warri and Kaduna”.
He continued “Let me explain this very clearly. We did have mechanical completion of the Port Harcourt refinery, which means that every technical work that is required to get the refinery on to work has been completed. This is what we announced December last year, if you recall.
“Once you are mechanically completed for an existing refinery, even for new ones, there are a number of technical steps that you have to take when you are introducing hydrocarbon into this plant. It is only then that you will see the real challenges of even a new refinery. And I can confirm to you today that we have gone through this.
“We are already introducing hydrocarbon under a hot situation, that’s what we call it. And I’m very sure that latest by early August, the Port Hacourt refinery will start producing product.
“And of course, the new one will get to December. And Warri will also be in production. I’m very optimistic.
“I don’t have any confirmation at this moment, so that nobody quotes me and says, oh, you keep lying. No, we’re not lying to you, Mr. President. This is a technical process.
“We do our best of intention. You can put debts on a refinery start-up, but it is when you get to start-up that you see the real challenges, even for a new refinery. As you can see, even a new, Port Harcourt refinery, it really has to take steps and processes to get it to full operation.
“This is very normal in a refinery operation. So we don’t put hard debts on it because there are things that you are never in control. Otherwise, I can confirm to you that we are taking every step to make sure that it works” Kyari added.
