Nigeria promises state-owned refinery progress

The country has set out an ambitious timeline to refurbish its long-neglected Port Harcourt refineries

Nigeria has committed $1.5bn to rehabilitate its Port Harcourt refining complex, which ministers say could be operating at 90pc of its 210,000bl/d capacity within 18 months. Both NOC NNPC and the government insist that, this time, they will achieve results. Nigeria has awarded the rehabilitation contract to Italian engineering firm Maire Tecnimont, which previously carried out preparatory and inspection work at Port Harcourt to pave the way for the overhaul. The work will be split into three phases, according to Timipre Sylva, minister for petroleum resources, with the first, 18-month stage to achieve 90pc capacity and to start immediately. “One major factor which makes this refinery r