Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), has defended the blending process at the Port Harcourt Refinery, calling it a necessary and integral part of the refining procedure.
Kyari made these remarks during the commissioning of the NUPENG Towers in Lagos on Wednesday, a major event for Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.
Speaking at the event, Kyari confirmed that the Port Harcourt Refinery is now fully operational after years of inactivity, with the refinery now processing crude oil and loading petroleum products for trucks.
The refinery, which had been dormant for several years, began processing crude oil on November 26, marking a significant milestone for Nigeria’s oil industry.
Blending Is Not a Crime, Says Kyari
One of the key issues raised by Nigerians regarding the refinery’s operations was the ongoing blending of petrol at the refinery, instead of refining crude oil directly.
Kyari addressed these concerns, explaining that blending is a standard procedure in the refining process.
“Blending is not a crime,” he asserted, clarifying that it is a necessary step to ensure the production of quality fuel.
“If you don’t blend, you will bring out off-spec products which will destroy your vehicles,” Kyari warned.
According to Kyari, blending ensures that the fuel meets the specific requirements of various countries, which can vary widely in terms of standards.
“Every refinery blends because what is on specification in the United States of America will be off-spec in Nigeria and elsewhere,” he explained.
Kyari further emphasized that blending is essential to bring the products in line with regional specifications, ensuring the fuel is safe and effective for use in vehicles across Nigeria.
Kyari Challenges Critics to Verify Operations
Kyari also responded to critics who have questioned the operational status of the Port Harcourt Refinery, particularly human rights activist and lawyer Femi Falana.
The NNPC boss invited Falana and others to join him on a tour of the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries to witness their operational status firsthand.
“I invite Femi Falana and others to come and see for themselves,” Kyari said. “The refineries are up and running.”
He expressed confidence that such a tour would provide clear evidence of the progress being made in the country’s oil and gas industry, especially with regard to the revitalization of the nation’s refineries.
A New Chapter for Nigeria’s Oil Industry
Kyari’s remarks came at a time when Nigeria’s oil and gas sector is facing numerous challenges, including concerns about the nation’s refining capacity and reliance on imported fuel.
The Port Harcourt Refinery’s return to operation is a critical step in the government’s goal to reduce the country’s dependence on imported refined petroleum products.
Kyari acknowledged that the refinery’s revival would contribute significantly to reducing fuel imports, but he also stressed that blending would be a necessary part of that process to meet local standards.
