Amid the raging controversy surrounding the operations of the Port Harcourt Refinery, the President of the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN), Festus Osifo, has declared that the refinery is active and producing petroleum products.
He refuted claims and allegations of its closure, stressing that the refinery generates Naphtha, Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and Dual Purpose Kerosene (DPK).
Osifo, however, pointed out that the available products are not intended for the production of aviation fuel, clarifying that no refinery anywhere in the world creates Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) in one step; rather, PMS is obtained through blending methods.
The labour leader in a statement on Tuesday, explained that no refinery globally has a Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) that produces PMS in a single batch, adding that even the CDU of Dangote Refinery does not solely generate PMS.
He educated that the creation of PMS includes mixing Naphtha with Crack C5 or other substances to conform to specification requirements, especially octane ratings.
Clarifying further on procedures of generating PMS, Osifo said in the production of petroleum products, crude oil is processed through CDU, which he said yields various outputs, noting that it must be made according to specifications; if not, it harms the vehicle.
Highlighting that the operations at the Port Harcourt Refinery are continuing, Osifo posited that the unit is operational, but the Old Port Harcourt Refinery was not intended for the production of aviation fuel.
He emphasised the significance of integration in PMS production, saying Naphtha is routed into the Reforming Unit and processed with Crack C5 from Indorama and that the mixing procedure is what leads to PMS.
Assuring Nigerians, Osifo maintained that the refinery is operational, and all these products, AGO, kerosene, and PMS are being manufactured.
He said citizens ought to concentrate on the results instead of the technical methods.
He further assured of the Federal Government’s commitment to meeting Nigeria’s PMS needs, urging Nigerians to believe in the workability of the refinery.
