The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) is still assessing potential technical and financial partners for the completion and long-term operation of the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries, as rising fuel prices intensify calls for the return of the government-owned facilities to production.

The state-owned oil company has yet to finalise a definitive commercial agreement for either refinery, with ongoing discussions focused on identifying partners capable of delivering sustainable and commercially viable operations.

The development comes amid renewed pressure from petroleum marketers, who argue that restoring domestic refining capacity could help reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products and limit the impact of international crude oil price fluctuations on local fuel prices.

NNPC Reviews Partnership Options

A senior NNPC official, who spoke anonymously because he was not authorised to comment publicly, said the company remained committed to restoring the refineries to sustainable operations.

According to the official, NNPC is evaluating technical and financial partnership proposals covering the completion, operation and long-term optimisation of the facilities.

The company’s approach reflects an effort to secure partners with the necessary technical expertise, investment capacity and operational experience to ensure the refineries can function efficiently after rehabilitation.

NNPC is also seeking to avoid a situation in which completed rehabilitation projects fail to translate into consistent production and commercial returns.

Sanjiang Agreement Yet to Produce Final Deal

As part of its partnership search, NNPC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China-based Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited on April 30, 2026.

The agreement provides a framework for exploring potential technical, operational and investment opportunities involving the refineries and related petrochemical developments.

NNPC had earlier disclosed that the MoU, signed alongside Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Company Limited, was intended to explore a potential technical equity partnership for completing and operating the Warri and Port Harcourt facilities.

The proposed collaboration also covers possible refinery expansion, petrochemical development and gas-based industrial opportunities.

Preliminary technical assessments of the Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Plant and the Port Harcourt Refinery have reportedly been undertaken.

However, the latest update indicates that discussions remain ongoing and that the MoU has not yet resulted in a binding commercial partnership.

The NNPC official explained that any final agreement would depend on satisfactory due diligence, commercial viability and the necessary regulatory and other approvals.

The company is expected to provide further details once the negotiations reach a significant milestone.

Marketers Demand Urgent Refinery Restart

The prolonged process of securing partners comes as petroleum marketers renew calls for the Federal Government and NNPC to accelerate efforts to restore the refineries.

Joseph Obele, National Public Relations Officer of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), urged the government to prioritise the resumption of domestic refining.

Obele said petrol prices had climbed to between ₦1,400 and ₦1,500 per litre in some locations, while diesel prices had exceeded ₦2,000 per litre.

He argued that increasing local refining capacity could help cushion consumers and businesses against elevated international crude oil prices.

According to the marketers, continued dependence on imported petroleum products exposes Nigeria’s downstream sector to global market volatility and exchange-rate pressures.

They believe that restoring the government-owned refineries could expand domestic supply options and reduce some of the costs associated with importing refined products.

Commercial Sustainability Remains a Major Concern

NNPC’s emphasis on commercial viability highlights the challenge of ensuring that refinery rehabilitation leads to sustainable production rather than another cycle of costly repairs and operational setbacks.

The company must identify partners capable of addressing technical challenges while ensuring that the facilities can operate efficiently over the long term.

A successful partnership could support greater domestic refining, create employment opportunities and stimulate related industries, including petrochemicals and gas-based manufacturing.

However, the absence of a definitive agreement means that the timeline for completing the process and achieving sustained operations at the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries remains uncertain.

For now, NNPC’s ongoing partner evaluation remains a key step in its efforts to restore the facilities, as petroleum marketers and consumers continue to seek relief from high fuel prices.

NNPC Continues Search for Partners to Restore Warri, Port Harcourt Refineries

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) is still assessing potential technical and financial partners for the completion and long-term operation of the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries, as rising fuel prices intensify calls for the return of the government-owned facilities to production.

The state-owned oil company has yet to finalise a definitive commercial agreement for either refinery, with ongoing discussions focused on identifying partners capable of delivering sustainable and commercially viable operations.

The development comes amid renewed pressure from petroleum marketers, who argue that restoring domestic refining capacity could help reduce Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products and limit the impact of international crude oil price fluctuations on local fuel prices.

NNPC Reviews Partnership Options

A senior NNPC official, who spoke anonymously because he was not authorised to comment publicly, said the company remained committed to restoring the refineries to sustainable operations.

According to the official, NNPC is evaluating technical and financial partnership proposals covering the completion, operation and long-term optimisation of the facilities.

The company’s approach reflects an effort to secure partners with the necessary technical expertise, investment capacity and operational experience to ensure the refineries can function efficiently after rehabilitation.

NNPC is also seeking to avoid a situation in which completed rehabilitation projects fail to translate into consistent production and commercial returns.

Sanjiang Agreement Yet to Produce Final Deal

As part of its partnership search, NNPC signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with China-based Sanjiang Chemical Company Limited on April 30, 2026.

The agreement provides a framework for exploring potential technical, operational and investment opportunities involving the refineries and related petrochemical developments.

NNPC had earlier disclosed that the MoU, signed alongside Xinganchen (Fuzhou) Industrial Park Operation and Management Company Limited, was intended to explore a potential technical equity partnership for completing and operating the Warri and Port Harcourt facilities.

The proposed collaboration also covers possible refinery expansion, petrochemical development and gas-based industrial opportunities.

Preliminary technical assessments of the Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Plant and the Port Harcourt Refinery have reportedly been undertaken.

However, the latest update indicates that discussions remain ongoing and that the MoU has not yet resulted in a binding commercial partnership.

The NNPC official explained that any final agreement would depend on satisfactory due diligence, commercial viability and the necessary regulatory and other approvals.

The company is expected to provide further details once the negotiations reach a significant milestone.

Marketers Demand Urgent Refinery Restart

The prolonged process of securing partners comes as petroleum marketers renew calls for the Federal Government and NNPC to accelerate efforts to restore the refineries.

Joseph Obele, National Public Relations Officer of the Petroleum Products Retail Outlets Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN), urged the government to prioritise the resumption of domestic refining.

Obele said petrol prices had climbed to between ₦1,400 and ₦1,500 per litre in some locations, while diesel prices had exceeded ₦2,000 per litre.

He argued that increasing local refining capacity could help cushion consumers and businesses against elevated international crude oil prices.

According to the marketers, continued dependence on imported petroleum products exposes Nigeria’s downstream sector to global market volatility and exchange-rate pressures.

They believe that restoring the government-owned refineries could expand domestic supply options and reduce some of the costs associated with importing refined products.

Commercial Sustainability Remains a Major Concern

NNPC’s emphasis on commercial viability highlights the challenge of ensuring that refinery rehabilitation leads to sustainable production rather than another cycle of costly repairs and operational setbacks.

The company must identify partners capable of addressing technical challenges while ensuring that the facilities can operate efficiently over the long term.

A successful partnership could support greater domestic refining, create employment opportunities and stimulate related industries, including petrochemicals and gas-based manufacturing.

However, the absence of a definitive agreement means that the timeline for completing the process and achieving sustained operations at the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries remains uncertain.

For now, NNPC’s ongoing partner evaluation remains a key step in its efforts to restore the facilities, as petroleum marketers and consumers continue to seek relief from high fuel prices.

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