The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.) has announced that it is shutting down the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) for a planned maintenance exercise, starting from May 24, 2025. This decision has sparked fresh concerns among Nigerians, especially as the refinery had only resumed operations in November 2024, after being inactive for over three years.
The announcement was made in a statement released by Olufemi Soneye, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd. According to the statement, the shutdown is part of a scheduled sustainability and performance assessment designed to ensure the refinery continues to work efficiently.
Mr. Soneye said the company is working with the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and other key stakeholders to ensure the process is transparent and properly executed. He assured Nigerians that the maintenance exercise is a normal procedure and not a sign of any breakdown in operations.
The Port Harcourt refinery had been a major symbol of hope in Nigeria’s journey toward energy independence when it restarted in November 2024. After several delays and billions of naira in rehabilitation costs, the refinery returned to life, producing an estimated 1.4 million litres of petrol (Premium Motor Spirit), 1.5 million litres of diesel, 900,000 litres of kerosene, and about 2.1 million litres of low-pour fuel oil daily. It also began supplying unspecified volumes of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG).
Despite these efforts, the news of another shutdown has raised eyebrows. Many industry experts and citizens are questioning why a facility that was only recently re-commissioned is already going offline for maintenance. Some believe it shows deeper structural issues, while others say it is simply routine work that should not be overblown.
Industry analysts like Bala Zakka, an oil and gas expert, say scheduled maintenance is normal in refinery operations. “We should not panic,” he said. “What is important is that NNPC communicates clearly and ensures there is no fuel supply disruption during the period.”
However, not everyone is convinced. Some marketers expressed fears that the shutdown could affect the recent stability in fuel availability and lead to supply gaps in certain regions.
A transport operator in Port Harcourt, Chuka Okoye, voiced his frustration. “We waited years for the refinery to start working. Now they say it’s closing again. We just hope it doesn’t affect fuel prices,” he said.
NNPC Ltd. has promised to keep Nigerians informed throughout the maintenance period via its official website and media platforms. The company maintains that the shutdown is a proactive step aimed at ensuring long-term reliability, rather than a response to any technical failure.
The Port Harcourt refinery is one of four state-owned refineries in Nigeria and is key to the government’s strategy to reduce dependence on imported petroleum products. The Federal Government has repeatedly stated its goal of achieving energy security and reducing the country’s huge import bill.
Energy analysts believe that proper maintenance culture is crucial to keeping the refinery operational in the long run. “If this is part of a structured turnaround maintenance programme, then it’s good news,” said Dr. Aisha Bello, an economist at the University of Abuja.
She added, “What Nigerians need is transparency. If NNPC communicates clearly and ensures that there are no fuel shortages, the public will be more understanding.”
As of now, fuel production has reportedly dropped by 1.4 million litres per day due to the shutdown, but NNPC Ltd. says there are enough reserves in circulation to cushion any temporary supply disruptions.
This maintenance phase will be closely watched, especially by stakeholders who want to see the refinery become a reliable part of Nigeria’s energy solution.
With global oil prices fluctuating and Nigeria still grappling with subsidy concerns, the effective operation of the Port Harcourt refinery is vital for economic stability and job creation.
The coming weeks will show how well the NNPC manages this shutdown and whether Nigerians can finally start seeing the full benefits of domestic refining.
