The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has reassured Nigerians that the Port Harcourt Refinery remains operational despite recent rumors suggesting a shutdown shortly after its highly publicized relaunch.
Addressing concerns on Arise TV, PENGASSAN President Comrade Festus Osifo confirmed that the refinery is producing key petroleum products. He acknowledged the skepticism from Nigerians, attributing it to past disappointments with government-led initiatives.
“Nigerians have every reason to doubt the government,” Osifo admitted. “Over the years, trust has been eroded due to numerous unfulfilled promises.” However, he emphasized that PENGASSAN is actively monitoring the situation and will further deliberate on it during their upcoming National Executive Council meeting.
Providing insight into the refinery’s processes, Osifo explained that production starts with the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU), which separates crude oil into various components. He highlighted that this unit is fully operational, yielding products such as kerosene (DPK), diesel (AGO), and naphtha.
“From our checks, the Port Harcourt refinery is indeed functional,” he stated. “The CDU is working, producing kerosene, diesel, and naphtha. However, the refinery was not originally designed to produce aviation fuel or PMS (Premium Motor Spirit) directly.”
Osifo disclosed that while the CDU is running effectively, the Reformat Unit, essential for refining naphtha into PMS, is currently non-functional. To bridge this gap, the refinery employs a blending process, combining naphtha with Crack-C5 from Indorama to produce PMS that meets required specifications.
He further clarified that no refinery worldwide produces PMS directly from a single CDU. “Even the Dangote Refinery doesn’t produce PMS in one step. It requires further treatment and blending to meet the high octane specifications required for vehicles,” Osifo explained.
Osifo urged Nigerians to focus on the refinery’s output rather than its internal processes. “What matters is whether the refinery is producing usable products. The answer is yes—it’s delivering AGO, kerosene, and PMS,” he affirmed.
He concluded by emphasizing the importance of transparency, stating, “The Port Harcourt refinery is working, and these products are being produced. This is a positive step forward for the oil and gas sector.”
