Senate Pledges: Port Harcourt, Warri refineries to be fully operational by 2024

Amidst Nigeria’s persistent fuel scarcity woes, Senator Ifeanyi Ubah, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), has assured Nigerians that the Port Harcourt and Warri refineries will be fully operational by the end of 2024.

In a bid to alleviate the nation’s fuel supply challenges, plans have been set in motion to achieve this ambitious target, with the Kaduna Refinery also slated to commence operations before the close of next year.

Senator Ubah emphasized that the completion of these refineries, coupled with the contribution from the Dangote Refinery’s 650,000 barrels per day capacity, will bolster Nigeria’s capacity to meet its domestic fuel demand.

Additionally, he called upon the federal government and other stakeholders to collaborate in establishing modular refineries, further enhancing the nation’s crude oil refining capabilities.

“My mandate is to ensure that the refineries in Nigeria are up and functional,” declared Senator Ubah, underscoring his commitment to achieving tangible results in addressing the nation’s energy challenges.

“By my involvement, before the end of this year, two refineries will be up and running,” he asserted, reaffirming his dedication to realizing this critical objective.

Furthermore, Senator Ubah revealed proactive measures being taken to monitor progress, including the establishment of a technical team tasked with conducting regular inspections of the refineries every two weeks. This rigorous oversight aims to ensure that set targets are met within the specified timelines.

Meanwhile, Seplat Energy, a leading Nigerian independent oil and gas company, has announced its intention to cease gas flaring by 2025.

The company, listed on both the London and Nigerian Stock Exchanges, outlined its plans to achieve this milestone through the completion of the ASA North project and the Sapele gas plant.

Chief Operating Officer, Samson Ezugworie, revealed this ambitious target at the ongoing Offshore Technology Conference in Houston, Texas, United States. He emphasized the company’s commitment to sustainable practices and environmental stewardship, highlighting the shift towards harnessing associated gas to mitigate environmental impact.

“With those two projects coming online and an increased gas supply capacity of 850 million cubic feet per day, we will bring routine gas flaring to an end by the second half of 2025,” stated Ezugworie.

This significant step forward aligns with Seplat’s vision to utilize gas resources for domestic consumption, particularly for power generation.

Ezugworie underscored Seplat’s role in addressing Nigeria’s energy needs, emphasizing the company’s commitment to supplying gas for power generation.

He highlighted the challenges posed by gas debts but expressed optimism in overcoming these obstacles through strategic planning and structured payment arrangements.

“As a company, we operate profitably,” Ezugworie noted, highlighting Seplat’s foresight and resilience in navigating the complexities of the energy sector.