NNPC to set up 200,000bpd condensate refinery in Delta, Imo

The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation will establish two condensate refineries with a total refining capacity of 200,000 barrels per day at Western Forcados Area and Assah North Ohaji South (ANOH) Areas of Delta and Imo State respectively.

Natural gas condensate is a low-density mixture of hydrocarbon liquids that are present as gaseous components in the raw natural gas produced from natural gas fields.

NNPC Group Managing Director, Dr. Maikanti Baru, made the disclosure at the bid opening for the provision of consultancy services to carry out a feasibility study for the refineries.

He said that the establishment of the green refineries was part of the strategies to eliminate importation of petroleum products and guarantee energy security for the country.

A statement by the spokesman of NNPC, Mr. Ndu Ughamadu, quoted Dr. Baru as saying that the condensate refineries, when fully operational, would increase gas supply to power plants in parts of the country.

The NNPC GMD in the statement noted that the condensate refineries which would operate along the NLNG model would increase the nation’s revenue base, provide jobs for the people and save the country a lot of foreign exchange.

He added that the strategic initiative would increase the energy security for the nation and grow the NNPC refining capacity from 445,000 barrels per day to 645,000 barrels per day.

“The condensate refineries are going to be fully on commercial basis and we intend to get partners that would invest. We are willing to get partners and operate in a similar manner with NLNG model where we could just get a majority share but not a controlling share,” Dr. Baru said.

This model, he said, would allow the private sector to have the confidence to drive the plants and ensure that the bureaucracy that is involved in government business is out of it.

In his presentation, the Group General Manager, Corporate Planning and Strategy, Mr. Bala Wunti, said the bid opening was a history making opportunity that was geared towards securing the future of the corporation.