The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has announced an immediate Port Harcourt Refinery shutdown starting May 24, 2025.
The national oil company made this announcement in a statement released on Saturday by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Femi Soneye.
According to the statement, the Port Harcourt refinery shutdown is necessary to enhance the refinery’s performance.
Soneye, in the statement, added that the Port Harcourt refinery shutdown is part of a planned sustainability assessment aimed at ensuring optimal performance of the facility.
The statement reads: “The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) wishes to inform the general public that the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) will undergo a planned maintenance shutdown.
“This scheduled maintenance and sustainability assessment will commence on May 24, 2025.
“We are working closely with all relevant stakeholders, including the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), to ensure the maintenance and assessment activities are carried out efficiently and transparently.
“NNPC Ltd remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering sustainable energy security.”
The announcement of the Port Harcourt refinery shutdown has raised fears about potential fuel supply disruptions and economic impacts.
Also, questions about the refinery’s operational reliability and effectiveness have begun to emerge due to past investments.
The Port Harcourt Refinery, located in Rivers State, is one of Nigeria’s key oil refining facilities, comprising an older 60,000 barrels per day (bpd) plant and a newer 150,000 bpd facility, with a combined capacity of 210,000 bpd.
The refinery, under the management of NNPCL, plays a vital role in Nigeria’s efforts to lessen its reliance on imported petroleum products.
However, the refinery has faced several challenges, including a history of extended periods of inactivity and operational difficulties.
The refinery resumed operations in November 2024 after extensive rehabilitation efforts starting in 2021, which reportedly cost $1.5 billion.
Despite this significant funding, the refinery has struggled to operate at full capacity, with recent reports indicating it functions at just 37.87% of its installed capacity, far below the 70% claimed by NNPCL.
