The Chief Corporate Communications Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Olufemi Soneye, has described blending as a global standard in modern fuel production.
Tribune Online reports that NNPCL announced on Tuesday the much-anticipated commencement of crude oil processing at the Port Harcourt Refinery.
Speaking in an interview, Soneye elaborated on the interdependence of refining and blending in optimising crude oil processing and improving refinery yields, particularly in the production of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
According to him, PMS is not a single product but rather a blend of outputs such as naphtha, reformate, pentane-plus hydrocarbons, and other middle distillates.
Soneye, while emphasising that blending operations are standard practices in refineries worldwide explained that the blending process and its ratios are influenced by several factors, including the type of crude oil being processed, the refinery’s configuration, and the specific requirements of the fuel, such as its octane rating and sulphur content.
He also criticised what he termed misinformation, urging Nigerians to dismiss claims made by individuals misusing technical terms to distort facts.
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He said, “Refining and blending are interconnected processes crucial for crude oil processing and optimising refinery yields, especially when producing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).
“PMS is not a single product but a carefully crafted blend of various refinery outputs, including naphtha, reformate, pentane-plus hydrocarbons, and other middle distillates, designed to enhance value and meet consumer needs.
“Blending operations are standard in refineries worldwide, with the process and ratios varying based on factors like crude oil type, refinery configuration, and specific fuel requirements (e.g., octane rating or sulfur content).
“Don’t be swayed by individuals misusing technical terms they don’t fully understand to spread misinformation or hinder progress. Blending and refining remain essential and sophisticated components of modern fuel production.”
Soneye further provided insight into specific blending processes, emphasising that “straight-run gasoline (SRG)” is typically blended with higher-octane components such as cracked C5.
According to him, this practice optimises fuel quality and ensures that the final product adheres to market specifications.
“We are not blending SRG with Napthat. SRG is blended with Crack C5. Yes, it is normal practice to blend SRG with Crack C5. Straight-run gasoline blended with cracked C5 refers to a mix of two distinct gasoline components, typically aimed at optimizing fuel quality and meeting market specifications.
“SRG is often blended with higher-octane components such as crack C5 to create commercially viable gasoline. C5 is derived from fluid catalytic cracking (FCC) processes, specifically from the lighter fractions of the cracked products.
“Our FCC is in the New PH refinery, and it is undergoing construction. Blending takes place in the FCC which is normal operation practice. Cracked C5 compensates for the low octane rating of straight-run gasoline, making the blend suitable for modern engines.”
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