Ebenco Global Link Limited’s modular refinery in Koko, Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, has received authorisation from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) to introduce hydrocarbons, marking a major step towards commissioning and performance testing. The 30,000-barrels-per-day (bpd) refinery will undergo a 90-day reliability test before progressing towards full commercial operations, subject to regulatory requirements.
Key Highlights
- Ebenco Global Link Limited receives NMDPRA authorisation to introduce hydrocarbons at its Delta modular refinery.
- The 30,000-bpd facility is located in Koko, Warri North LGA, Delta State.
- The refinery will undergo a 90-day reliability test, including a 72-hour continuous performance run.
- NMDPRA will monitor commissioning activities, product quality and operational performance.
- The authorisation follows a Pre-Start-Up Safety Audit conducted on September 14–15, 2026.
- Initial operations are planned at approximately 5,000 bpd before a possible expansion towards the refinery’s full capacity.
- Expected products include naphtha, kerosene, diesel and low-pour fuel oil.
- Commercial production remains subject to successful testing and further regulatory approvals.
Ebenco Modular Refinery Gets NMDPRA Approval to Introduce Hydrocarbons
The NMDPRA confirmed the authorisation in a letter dated October 12, 2026, following a Pre-Start-Up Safety Audit (PSSA) conducted on September 14 and 15.
The approval allows the refinery to proceed with introducing hydrocarbons as part of its commissioning process. This marks an important stage in testing the facility’s systems and determining whether they can operate reliably and safely.
During the 90-day reliability test, the company is expected to demonstrate the refinery’s operational performance, including a 72-hour uninterrupted performance run.
The regulatory authority will monitor the process, while Ebenco is required to submit daily reports covering commissioning activities, operating performance and product quality.
The company must also obtain prior approval for product offtake during the testing period. Any shutdowns or safety incidents must be reported, including their causes and the corrective actions taken.
Delta Refinery to Begin With 5,000 Barrels Per Day
The Ebenco refinery is being developed in phases, with initial operations planned at approximately 5,000 barrels per day before a gradual expansion towards its full nameplate capacity of 30,000 bpd.
Chief Executive Officer Dr Ebenezer Oluwagbemiga has described the project as a locally engineered facility built around indigenous technology and Nigerian engineering expertise, rather than relying on foreign engineering, procurement and construction contractors.
The company has presented the refinery as a demonstration of Nigeria’s capacity to develop domestic refining technology and strengthen local participation in the petroleum industry.
However, its eventual production levels will depend on the outcome of the commissioning process, operational performance and the required regulatory clearances.
Federal Government Previously Inspected Ebenco Refinery
The project has attracted federal government attention as part of broader efforts to increase domestic refining capacity and promote local content in the petroleum sector.
In November 2025, Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, inspected the refinery site and praised its indigenous design and fabrication.
Lokpobiri described the project as consistent with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope agenda and suggested that legitimate domestic refining capacity could provide alternatives to illegal refining activities and help address challenges associated with pipeline vandalism.
The refinery’s technology has also attracted interest from regulatory officials, according to previous reports.
Ebenco obtained its licence to establish the 30,000-bpd facility in 2024, with the company subsequently working towards completing the project and preparing it for commissioning.
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Products Expected From Ebenco Modular Refinery
When fully operational, the refinery is expected to produce several petroleum products for domestic markets.
These include:
- Naphtha, used in petrochemical production and as a refinery feedstock.
- Dual-purpose kerosene (DPK), commonly used for household and other applications.
- Automotive gas oil (AGO), commonly known as diesel.
- Low-pour fuel oil (LPFO), used in selected industrial and energy applications.
The company has targeted commercial production for later in 2026, subject to the successful completion of reliability and performance tests and any further approvals required by NMDPRA.
However, neither a definitive commercial start date nor confirmation of full-scale production has been announced in the information provided.
How the Refinery Could Affect Delta State and Nigeria
Once operational, the Koko refinery could contribute to domestic petroleum product supply in Delta State and the wider Niger Delta.
The project may also create employment opportunities, support related businesses and strengthen local participation in refinery construction, maintenance and operations.
Nigeria has promoted modular refineries as one approach to addressing domestic refining shortfalls, reducing dependence on imported petroleum products and expanding the country’s refining capacity.
Additional domestic production could support supply availability, although the actual impact on pump prices and import dependence would depend on production volumes, operating costs, distribution arrangements and market conditions.
The refinery’s contribution to local employment and economic activity will similarly depend on its operational scale and the extent to which it uses local workers and suppliers.
NMDPRA Approval Is Not Yet Full Commercial Operating Clearance
Although the authorisation represents progress towards commissioning, it should not be interpreted as confirmation that the refinery has begun full commercial production.
The current approval permits the introduction of hydrocarbons for the commissioning and testing process. The facility must still demonstrate reliable performance and meet applicable regulatory requirements before progressing to commercial operations.
The 90-day reliability test will therefore be an important stage in determining the refinery’s readiness to operate at its planned capacity.
Ebenco has indicated that it will provide further updates as commissioning progresses. Until the tests are completed and the necessary approvals obtained, the commercial start date remains subject to regulatory and operational developments.
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