The Original Refineries Builders (ORBs) of the three existing refineries have agreed to re-validate the scoping studies which the NNPC has developed for its planned revamp of the refineries, the Group Managing Director of the corporation, Dr. Maikanti Baru, has disclosed.
The three refineries in Kaduna, Port Harcourt and Warri belonging to the NNPC have a combined capacity of 445,000 barrels per day (bd).
Baru also said the ORBs would bring in new technologies into the process units of the refineries to enable them operate optimally like modern refineries. The revalidation, Baru noted, would include the cost of revamping the refineries.
Coming ahead of the October 2018 date the NNPC expects to sign funding and contractual agreements with third-party financiers and contractors to revamp of the refineries, Baru explained that the NNPC now has the confidence of the Japan Gas Company (JGC) which built the Port Harcourt refinery; Saipem which built Warri refinery; and Chiyoda which built Kaduna refinery to partner it on the revamp programme.
Baru disclosed in the latest edition of the corporation’s in-house magazine – NNPC Magazine – that the NNPC has been able to overcome the initial reluctance of the ORBs to work with it in the programme.
He also Baru indicated that its board had in April at a London meeting with shortlisted firms for the programme, assured them of a sustainable plan to repay their investment in the programme. He added that NNPC was looking forward to shutting down the refineries soon for repairs once it signed the agreements and financiers provide funds for ORBs to start work.