The Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited (SPDC) has successfully supplied 475,000 barrels of crude oil to the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited, marking a significant milestone in the Federal Government’s efforts to enhance domestic refining capacity and improve the availability of petroleum products within the country.
In a statement released on Monday by Abimbola Essien-Nelson, Shell Nigeria’s Media Relations Manager, it was revealed that the company, operating through its Bonny Oil & Gas Terminal, has concluded the delivery of over 475,000 barrels of crude oil to the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited.
Essien-Nelson further explained that the resumption of supply from the Bonny Oil & Gas Terminal occurred last week after a hiatus of over five years. During this period, the Port Harcourt refinery underwent rehabilitation and conducted integrity activities on its supply pipeline from the Bonny Oil & Gas Terminal.
Dr. Osagie Okunbor, Country Chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria and Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company of Nigeria Limited, commended the collaborative efforts of the teams from BOGT and PHRC in ensuring the success of the project. He emphasized the importance of utilizing key infrastructures to guarantee a consistent supply of products from the refinery to the Nigerian market, marking a significant step in the nation’s renewed efforts.
Okunbor added that future supplies from BOGT would be contingent upon the demand for the product, underscoring the commitment to meeting the nation’s petroleum product requirements.
Osita Nnajiofor, the Bonny Terminal Installation Manager, highlighted the rigorous preparations undertaken by project teams to ensure the integrity of relevant pipelines and equipment, culminating in the safe completion of the refinery supply without any harm to people, the environment, or equipment.
Nnajiofor further emphasized that the recommencement of crude oil supply from the Bonny Oil and Gas Terminal to the Port Harcourt Refining Company Limited signifies a significant achievement for the industry and the country. It aligns with the Federal Government’s objectives of ensuring a steady supply of petroleum products to the downstream market and fostering economic benefits for the nation.
The statement also mentioned the recent decision by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) to hand over the rehabilitated Port Harcourt refinery to private operators, marking a significant development in the country’s refining sector.