NNPC, Chinese firms sign MoU to revive, expand Warri and Port Harcourt refineries
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two Chinese firms—Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd—to advance plans for the restart and expansion of Nigeria’s Warri and Port Harcourt refineries.
According to a statement by Andy Odeh, NNPC Chief Corporate Communications Officer on Monday, the agreement was signed on April 30, in Jiaxing City, China, by NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, alongside Guan Jianzhong, Chairman of Sanjiang Chemical, and Bill Bi, Chairman of Xinganchen.
Under the proposed framework, the partnership will focus on completing outstanding rehabilitation work at the Port Harcourt Refinery and Warri Refinery, as well as operating and maintaining both facilities to achieve sustainable, high-performance output. Plans also include upgrades aimed at producing cleaner and more commercially viable petroleum products.
Beyond refinery rehabilitation, the collaboration is expected to expand petrochemical production capacity and unlock gas-based industrial opportunities through the development of integrated industrial hubs around the facilities.
Speaking after the signing, Ojulari described the development as a major step forward, saying, “All parties recognise mutually beneficial opportunities for the development and long-term sustainable profitability of NNPC’s refining assets in Nigeria, and the collective weight required for success.”
He added that the agreement marks progress in the company’s broader strategy, noting, “This is a significant step on the journey towards identifying potential technical equity partner(s) to restart and expand NNPC’s refineries, and to explore opportunities in co-located petrochemicals and gas-based industries.”
