NNPC SIGNS DEAL WITH CHINESE FIRMS TO REVIVE PORT HARCOURT AND WARRI REFINERIES

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two Chinese firms, Sanjiang Chemical Company and Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd, as part of efforts to complete and enhance operations at the Port Harcourt Refinery and Warri Refinery.

The agreement was signed in Jiaxing on April 30, 2026, by NNPC’s Group Chief Executive Officer, BAYO OJULARI, alongside GUAN JIANZHONG of Sanjiang Chemical Company and BILL BI of Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co., Ltd.

The proposed collaboration, structured as a Technical Equity Partnership (TEP), is expected to focus on completing outstanding rehabilitation work at both refineries, as well as their long-term operation and maintenance to achieve optimal and sustainable performance.

Describing the MoU as a major milestone, OJULARI said  it followed over six months of strategic discussions between NNPC and its Chinese partners,  adding  that the agreement represents a key step toward identifying suitable technical equity partners to fully restore and expand the country’s refining capacity.

In a statement, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd., ANDY ODEH, said the initiative will also involve planned upgrades and expansion projects aimed at improving efficiency and ensuring the production of cleaner, more profitable petroleum products.