Nigeria TV Info 

Chinese Firms to Operate Warri and Port Harcourt Refineries – NNPC

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has announced that Chinese engineering and technical firms will be involved in the operation and management of the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries as part of ongoing efforts to revive Nigeria’s ailing refining infrastructure.

According to NNPC, the decision is part of a broader strategy to improve efficiency, increase local refining capacity, and reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products. The refineries, which have suffered years of underperformance due to technical faults, aging infrastructure, and maintenance challenges, are currently undergoing rehabilitation and upgrade works.

The partnership with Chinese firms is expected to introduce advanced operational expertise and strengthen maintenance systems through long-term operation and maintenance agreements. NNPC noted that the collaboration will also support stable crude supply coordination, improved plant reliability, and increased production output once full operations resume.

Officials explained that the arrangement is not a sale of national assets but a technical partnership designed to ensure sustainable refinery performance. The Warri and Port Harcourt refineries are key national assets with combined capacity that could significantly boost domestic fuel supply if fully optimized.

The initiative is also expected to help reduce fuel importation costs, stabilize domestic petroleum product availability, and contribute positively to Nigeria’s energy security and economic growth objectives.