NNPC Debunks Claims of Old Port Harcourt Refinery Shutdown

NNPC clarifies that the Old Port Harcourt Refinery remains operational despite rumors of its shutdown, ensuring continued fuel supply.

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has dismissed media reports claiming that the recently reopened old Port Harcourt refinery has been closed.

Olufemi Soneye, the Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC Ltd, announced in Abuja on Saturday that the refinery is “fully operational.”

The old PH refinery, with a capacity of 60,000 barrels per day, resumed operations two months ago after being shut down for years.

In part, the statement clarified: “We would like to emphasize that these reports are completely untrue; the refinery is fully operational, as confirmed by former Group Managing Directors of NNPC just a few days ago.”

The statement mentioned that preparations for the day’s loading operation are currently underway.

“Members of the public are urged to ignore these reports, as they are mere fabrications by individuals aiming to create artificial scarcity and exploit Nigerians,” Soneye stated.

Three years ago, the Federal Government allocated $1.5 billion (equivalent to 1.2 billion euros) for the repair of one of the country’s largest refineries, which was closed in 2019.

Although Nigeria is one of the largest producers of crude oil, it has depended on importing petroleum products for many years due to insufficient local refining capacity.

Nigeria exchanges crude oil valued at billions of dollars for petrol, which it had subsidized for years to maintain affordable prices in its domestic market. The importation of fuel and the accompanying subsidies led to a significant depletion of foreign exchange reserves during a period when Nigeria faced declining oil revenues and shortages in foreign currency.

However, in September 2024, the Dangote refinery commenced petrol production, several months after announcing that the plant had become operational.

During an update, Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, announced that the new Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) complex with a capacity of 150,000 barrels per day is expected to be operational by mid-2025.

Kyari also mentioned that the old refinery complex, which has now begun full operations, is capable of supplying various products to 200,000 trucks daily.

He explained that the main obstacle to promptly reviving the complex was making sure that a full overhaul of the brand new machines took place.