The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has announced it is shutting down the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) for some planned maintenance.
This is coming barely six months after the refinery resumed production in November 2024, having missed several deadlines.
The company says the shutdown date will begin from Saturday, May 24, according to an official statement issued by Olufemi O. Soneye, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd.
Under the last NNPC regime of Mele Kyari, the Nigerian-owned firm shelled out $1.5 billion (N2.3 trillion, at an exchange rate of N1,550 per dollar) as the amount it last spent to do this same job.
In March 2021,Ã the Federal Government approved the $1.5 billion expenditure for the refurbishment and modernisation of the refinery complex.
According to the statement, the shutdown is part of a scheduled maintenance and sustainability assessment aimed at enhancing the facility’s operational efficiency. NNPC Ltd emphasized that it is collaborating closely with key industry stakeholders, including the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), to ensure the maintenance activities are executed in a manner that is both effective and transparent.
The company maintained its commitment to energy security, stressing that the maintenance effort aligns with its broader objective of delivering sustainable energy solutions across the country. It assured the public that updates regarding the maintenance and progress at PHRC will be made available regularly through its official communication channels, including its website, media platforms, and public announcements.
