By the OGJ Online Staff
ABUJA, Apr. 25 -- Nigeria's four refineries combined are processing 330,000 b/d of crude, the state-run Nigerian National Petroleum Corp. (NNPC) told the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries' news agency.
Jackson Gaius-Obaseki, NNPC group managing director, said this is the highest refining production level in more than a decade.
Nigeria's four refineries have a combined nameplate capacity to process 438,750 b/d of crude. The Kaduna refinery has 110,000 b/d capacity; the Alesa Elema refinery has 60,000 b/d capacity; the Port Harcourt refinery has 150,000 b/d capacity; and the Warri refinery has 118,750 b/d capacity.
Gaius-Obaskei said improvements in the Warri, Kaduna, and Port Harcourt refineries have increased kerosine and diesel production enough so those products soon will be exported.
But Nigeria's refineries still cannot satisfy the domestic demand for gasoline, he said, blaming increased consumption and also smuggling.
Demand for gasoline in Nigeria has risen to about 25 million l./day from 18 million l./day. Nigeria is importing gasoline to help meet demand.
Imo state Gov. Chief Achike Udenwa visited Gaius-Obaskei Tuesday to ask NNPC to put a fuel depot in Imo.
Udenwa also asked NNPC to increase supplies to the Aba depot pending installation of a fuel depot in Imo.
Udenwa said, "As an oil-producing state with abundant gas reserves, we are desirous of being included in downstream joint-venture gas projects, petrochemicals, and refinery operations."
