Maintenance: NNPCL announces planned shutdown of Port Harcourt refinery, effective May 24 

In a statement issued by NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, the company said the temporary closure is part of a planned maintenance and sustainability assessment aimed at ensuring optimal performance of the refinery.

“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,” the statement read.

“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 activities are carried out efficiently and transparently. 

“NNPC Ltd remains steadfast in its commitment to delivering sustainable energy security for Nigeria. Further updates will be provided regularly through our official channels, including our website, media platforms, and public statements,” Soneye added.

However, in a phone chat with Naijaonpoint, Soneye clarified that the refinery had been operational for a year and the current action is not a shutdown due to failure or disruption, but rather a routine procedure.

“The refinery has been working for one year. Our action was for routine maintenance and a sustainability test. It was not shut down, please,” he emphasized.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) announced in December 2024 that the Port Harcourt Refinery has officially resumed production, marking a significant milestone following years of rehabilitation.

According to the NNPC, truck loading of petroleum products from the refinery began on Tuesday, November 26, 2024.

“Port Harcourt Refinery begins production; truck loading starts today, Tuesday,” said Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, in a statement confirming the development.

Subsequently, on December 21, 2023, the Nigerian government announced the mechanical completion of the refinery and the successful flare start-off, signaling a key step toward full operational status.