EXCLUSIVE: NNPCL Port Harcourt Refinery Secondary Units Still Dormant; Crack C5 Blending May Impact Vehicles, Staff Warn



Port Harcourt, Nigeria — Insiders at the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) have revealed that the Port Harcourt Refinery's secondary units remain non-operational despite the refinery's recent reopening. According to sources, the blending of "Crack C5" with Naphtha to produce Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, could have adverse effects on vehicles.

Refinery Operations Under Scrutiny

NNPCL sources confirmed to SaharaReporters on Wednesday that the secondary processing units essential for producing refined gasoline are yet to be commissioned. Instead, the company has resorted to blending Crack C5—a modified petroleum resin—with Naphtha from the primary units to create a petrol substitute.

“Blending is a standard refining practice, but typically, PMS is produced through reformate from the secondary units. These units are not yet operational, so the blend with Crack C5 is a stopgap measure,” a top NNPCL source explained.

Currently, only the primary units of the refinery, which process crude oil into intermediate products like Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), kerosene, and diesel, are functional. However, PMS requires the fully operational secondary units, which are still offline.

Potential Vehicle Risks

The use of Crack C5 in the blending process has raised concerns. “Crack C5 has an effect on cars,” one source warned, suggesting that the chemical composition of the blend may not be ideal for long-term use in vehicles.

Contradicting Official Claims

Despite these internal admissions, NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, issued a statement on Tuesday asserting that the old Port Harcourt Refinery is currently operating at 70% capacity and producing 1.4 million liters of PMS daily. Soneye emphasized that the refinery is integrating Crack C5 from Indorama Petrochemicals to meet fuel standards, a practice he described as commonplace in global refining operations.

However, industry insiders contradicted these claims, asserting that no PMS is being trucked out directly from the refinery. Instead, Crack C5 is blended with Naphtha and sold as PMS. “If you hear they are trucking out PMS, it’s false. They blend Crack C5 from Indorama with Naphtha for public distribution,” a source insisted.

Public Concerns and Strategic Plans

In light of these revelations, questions remain about the long-term reliability of the refinery’s output and the potential impact on consumers. The refinery's management has pledged to ramp up production to 90% capacity and promised progress on the commissioning of the new Port Harcourt Refinery.

“We appreciate the support of Nigerians and are working diligently to overcome operational challenges,” Soneye said, emphasizing that the new refinery will soon begin operations without prior announcements.

Conclusion

The NNPCL faces growing scrutiny over its current refining practices and the readiness of its facilities. As the nation watches closely, concerns about vehicle safety and the integrity of the fuel supply chain persist. Whether the ongoing blending strategy is a temporary solution or a longer-term issue remains to be seen, but for now, motorists are urged to remain cautious.

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