The Department of Petroleum Resources, has said it is set to grant a Licence to Operate, LTO, to Niger Delta Petroleum Resources, NDPR, for the installation of an additional 5,000 barrels per day modular refinery at Ogbele, Ahoada in Rivers State.
Director/Chief Executive Officer of the DPR, Mr. Sarki Auwalu, stated that the refinery, when completed, would reduce importation of petroleum products with corresponding savings in foreign exchange and employment generation for the country’s teeming youths.
According to him, this laudable project was expected to catalyse further growth of the Nigerian refining industry by attracting more investments as more players gain confidence.
He noted that in addition to its maiden 1,000 barrels per Day (BPD) Diesel Topping Refining Plant, NDPR had consolidated on its capacity by expanding the plant with an additional 5,000 BPD.
The expansion, he said, provided for other products slate to include kerosene, marine diesel and heavy fuel oil to cater to the Nigerian market.
He said, “When installed, the upgraded refining complex will bring the total refining capacity to 11,000 BPD and will then have the requisite units to produce diesel (512,775 litres/day), kerosene (317,205 litres/day), marine diesel (281,907 litres/day) and heavy fuel oil (234,525 litres/day), and particularly Premium Motor Spirit/gasoline (168,540 litres/day).
“The DPR provided necessary regulatory guidance and technical support throughout the project development phases for NDPR to contribute about 4.2% of national daily diesel demand and about o.4% for gasoline in Nigeria.
“Having achieved these giant strides, the DPR is set to grant NDPR a ‘Licence to Operate’ (LTO) the plant expected to be commissioned soon” he said.
