ABUJA — The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two Chinese companies for the restart, operation, and expansion of the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries.
The agreement was reached with Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited and Xingcheng (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Co. Ltd, according to a statement issued on Monday by NNPC’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Andy Odey.
The MoU, signed in Jiaxing City, China on April 30, 2026, was executed by NNPC Group Chief Executive Officer, Bashir Bayo Ojulari, alongside representatives of the two Chinese firms. It is expected to lead to a Technical Equity Partnership (TEP) aimed at completing ongoing rehabilitation works and ensuring efficient long-term operations of both refineries.
Under the proposed arrangement, the Chinese partners will support the completion of outstanding rehabilitation works, participate in operations and maintenance, and help improve overall refinery performance.
The partnership also includes plans to expand and upgrade the facilities to meet cleaner fuel standards, improve profitability, and boost petrochemical production. It is further expected to support the development of gas-based industrial hubs around the refinery locations.
Speaking after the signing, Ojulari described the deal as a major milestone following months of negotiations, noting that it reflects shared interest in ensuring the long-term sustainability of NNPC’s refining assets.
He stressed that the agreement would help unlock opportunities in petrochemicals and gas-based industries while improving operational efficiency.
However, he clarified that the MoU is non-binding and subject to regulatory approvals and further negotiations.
The Port Harcourt Refining Company, with a capacity of 210,000 barrels per day, and the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, with 125,000 barrels per day capacity, have both undergone prolonged rehabilitation efforts aimed at restoring domestic refining capacity.
The projects are part of Nigeria’s broader strategy to reduce dependence on imported petroleum products. The Port Harcourt refinery briefly resumed operations in late 2024 before being shut down again due to operational challenges.
