If you don’t blend, you will bring out off-spec products which will destroy your vehicles – Mele Kyari defends PH refinery operations

Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, has defended the blending of petroleum products at the recently reactivated Port Harcourt refinery, describing it as a necessary aspect of refining rather than a criminal act.

Kyari made this clarification on Wednesday, November 4, during the commissioning of the NUPENG Towers in Lagos.

The Port Harcourt refinery, which resumed crude oil processing on November 26 after years of inactivity, has begun loading petroleum products for distribution by truck. The refinery produces straight-run petrol (naphtha), which is blended to supply 1.4 million liters of petrol daily.

Kyari’s statement underscores the role of blending in ensuring efficient refining and product availability, marking a significant step in Nigeria’s efforts to enhance domestic fuel production. He extended an invitation to skeptics, including human rights activist and lawyer Femi Falana, to visit the Port Harcourt, Warri, and Kaduna refineries to assess their operational statuses.

Responding to criticisms from some Nigerians who questioned the blending process, Kyari emphasized its importance in meeting product specifications. “If you don’t blend, you will bring out off-spec products which will destroy your vehicles,” he said. “Every refinery blends because what is on specification in the United States of America will be off-spec in Nigeria and elsewhere. Blending is necessary to bring products to the specification of different countries or regions.”