The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has announced the temporary shutdown of the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) effective today, as part of a planned maintenance operation aimed at restoring the refinery’s optimal performance and operational integrity.
In a statement released by the NNPC management, the shutdown is described as a necessary step in the ongoing efforts to modernize and reposition Nigeria’s domestic refining capacity in line with international standards. The Port Harcourt refinery, one of Nigeria’s oldest and most critical refining facilities, will undergo comprehensive checks, repairs, and upgrades during this maintenance window.
According to the NNPC, the maintenance exercise is expected to address a range of technical and operational challenges that have hindered the refinery’s performance in recent years. The overhaul will also involve the inspection and replacement of aging components, pipeline recalibration, safety system enhancements, and environmental compliance adjustments.
A spokesperson for the NNPC emphasized that the shutdown is a proactive measure rather than a reactionary one. “This scheduled maintenance is essential to ensure the long-term viability of the facility and to guarantee that once operations resume, the refinery will deliver improved capacity, higher efficiency, and compliance with global refining benchmarks,” the spokesperson stated.
The NNPC reassured the public that the temporary shutdown would not significantly affect the supply of petroleum products across the country. Strategic reserves and imports are expected to cover any potential gaps during the downtime.
Industry stakeholders have applauded the move, stating that consistent and proactive maintenance of Nigeria’s refineries is vital for the country’s energy security and economic growth. The Port Harcourt refinery, once fully operational, is projected to process up to 210,000 barrels of crude oil per day, playing a critical role in reducing the nation’s reliance on imported refined products.
The NNPC did not provide a specific date for the completion of the maintenance exercise but assured that work will be expedited to minimize downtime.
This development comes amidst broader national efforts to revamp Nigeria’s refining sector, with similar upgrades being planned or already underway at other state-owned refineries, including those in Warri and Kaduna.
As the nation continues to seek self-sufficiency in refining, the success of the Port Harcourt refinery’s overhaul will be closely watched both domestically and internationally.
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