The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has disclosed that the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) will undergo a scheduled maintenance shutdown starting May 24, 2025.

In a statement released on Saturday, Olufemi Soneye, NNPC Ltd’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, confirmed that the shutdown is necessary for maintenance and a sustainability assessment of the facility.

“NNPC Ltd wishes to inform the public that the Port Harcourt Refinery will commence a planned maintenance shutdown on May 24, 2025,” the statement read. “We are collaborating with key stakeholders, including the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), to ensure the process is conducted efficiently and transparently.”

Soneye reiterated NNPC Ltd’s dedication to providing sustainable energy solutions for Nigeria and assured that updates on the refinery’s status would be shared through official communication channels.

Background on the Port Harcourt Refinery

The Port Harcourt Refinery complex consists of two units: an older plant with a 60,000-barrel-per-day (bpd) capacity and a newer plant with 150,000 bpd, totaling 210,000 bpd.

The refinery has faced operational challenges for over two decades. It was shut down in March 2019 for repairs, with Italy’s Maire Tecnimont handling the rehabilitation and Eni serving as technical adviser.

In 2021, NNPC Ltd announced the commencement of repairs after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved $1.5 billion for the project. The government later declared the mechanical completion and flare start-up of the refinery on December 21, 2023.