Nigeria plans to shut in its 150,000 b/d refinery in Port Harcourt in mid-May for turnaround maintenance. Its other three refineries will undergo similar projects soon, said Jackson Gaius-Obaseki, group managing director of state-run Nigerian National Petroleum Corp.
NNPC would like to be self-sufficient regarding petroleum products. "We believe that by yearend, local production of petroleum products will account for 60% of national demand," he said
OPEC News Agency said the four Nigerian refineries only provide 40% of its petroleum products consumption, due to lack of maintenance and other technical problems. All four plants will be rehabilitated, claims Gaius-Obaseki, who also noted that the planned privatization of the four refineries may serve as an impetus to build more refineries.
The managing director said petroleum-product self sufficiency would generate employment, ensure the acquisition of technology, and attract private investors.
Nigeria's refiners have long been plagued by frequent and major breakdowns. The country's gasoline shortages have prompted citizens to illegally tap into products pipelines, in more than one instance causing explosions. The government recently authorized armed guards to shoot poachers on site.
