As part of efforts to deepen backward integration in petroleum products availability, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has concluded plans to begin comprehensive rehabilitation of the nation’s three refineries. These include refineries in Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna to achieve optimal capacity utilization in the New Year.
Earlier last week, the Chief Operating Officer of NNPC refineries, Mr. Anibor Kragha, noted that the Corporation was determined to move away from the approach of quick fixes and undertake a comprehensive revamp of the plants.
He said “The plan for next year is to get the comprehensive rehabilitation programme done. The situation is like having three cars in your garage that have not been maintained for 15 to 20 years while you expect optimal performance from them. Changing one fuel pump here, one compressor there is not helpful. What we are doing now is to step back and take a holistic approach and do a full rehabilitation of all the refineries”.
According to him, once the exercise was achieved, the refineries in due course would draw up a chart for routine Turn Around Maintenance (TAM) Programme as and when due.
He also disclosed that Port Harcourt Refinery is ready and to commence the production of Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATK) for domestic consumption as soon as possible.
On the hand, the Managing Director of the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemicals Company, Mallam Idi Mukhtar Maiha, said KRPC was working towards a target of 75 percent capacity utilization in the New Year based on projected supply of one cargo of crude oil per month.
