The Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) has reassured Nigerians that the Port Harcourt Refinery is still operational, despite recent claims of its shutdown.
Last week, rumors surfaced that the refinery had ceased production just days after celebrating its resumption of operations. However, oil industry experts, including Comrade Festus Osifo, President of PENGASSAN, have come forward to clarify the situation.
In an interview on Arise TV on Monday, December 2, Osifo confirmed that the refinery is fully operational, though he acknowledged certain limitations in the production process. He explained that the blending process used at the refinery is standard practice worldwide, as no refinery can operate with just a single Crude Distillation Unit (CDU).
Osifo also acknowledged the skepticism many Nigerians feel toward the government, given the country’s history with unfulfilled promises. He said, “Nigerians, we have every reason to doubt the government. We have every reason to question assertions from governments because over the years, they have actually let us down.”
He continued, “Having said that, for us in PENGASSAN, it’s part of what we are going to address tomorrow in our National Executive Council meeting.”
Regarding the refinery’s operations, Osifo explained, “From our checks, the Port Harcourt refinery is actually working.” He went on to describe the refinery’s production process, noting that crude oil is passed through the CDU, which separates it into various products such as kerosene (DPK), aviation fuel (ATK), and diesel (DPO), along with naphtha.
However, he also highlighted a limitation, saying the refinery’s old equipment was not designed to produce aviation fuel. “So normally, you’ll have three main products: Naphtha, AGO (Diesel), and DPK (Kerosene),” he explained.
Osifo further clarified that while the refinery’s reformat unit is not currently operational, the refinery still produces petrol (PMS) by blending naphtha with other components, such as Crack-C5. He stressed, “What Nigerians should be interested in today is: is the Port Harcourt refinery producing AGO? The answer is yes. Is it producing kerosene? The answer is yes. Is it producing PMS today? The answer is yes.”
He also reassured viewers that “no refinery in the world that has a CDU produces PMS in a single batch.” Osifo emphasized that, like other refineries, the Port Harcourt facility must treat naphtha before it meets the required specifications for petrol, which is necessary to ensure that the fuel does not damage vehicles.
In conclusion, Osifo firmly stated, “In all honesty, the refinery is working, and these products are all there and coming out.”
