The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has announced the shutdown of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), effective May 24, 2025, for routine maintenance and a sustainability assessment.
The one-month temporary decision, confirmed by NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, aims to enhance the refinery’s performance and ensure safe operations.
The facility, which resumed operations in November 2024 after a $1.5 billion rehabilitation, has been operating below 40% capacity, producing an average of 82.55 million liters of refined products monthly against an expected 218 million liters.
Local fuel retailers in Eleme, the refinery’s host community, have protested the shutdown, alleging sabotage by some officials. Soneye refuted these claims, emphasizing that the maintenance is critical for sustainable operations. The refinery, comprising an older 60,000-barrels-per-day unit and a newer 150,000-bpd unit, has faced scrutiny for underperformance since its relaunch.
An April 2025 report by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority noted its low output, contradicting NNPCL’s earlier claims of 70% capacity.
The shutdown follows a turbulent period for NNPCL, including the recent sacking of the refinery’s managing director and probes into alleged mismanagement. Despite these challenges, NNPCL insists the maintenance will bolster Nigeria’s energy security.
Further updates will be provided through official channels, the company stated. The move has sparked concerns among marketers, with some, like DAPPMAN, noting the refinery’s failure to meet petrol demand, pushing reliance on alternatives like the Dangote Refinery.