• 26 May, 2025
• FAITH MIMDOO KEGH
• No comment

Port Harcourt Refinery Undergoes 30-Day Maintenance.

The Port Harcourt Refinery has been temporar

ily shut down for a 30-day maintenance operation, according to officials from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). The company assures the public that there will be no petrol shortage during this period.

The shutdown, which began on May 24, 2025, follows the recent \$1.5 billion rehabilitation of the facility completed in November 2024. The maintenance is part of routine checks to ensure the refinery remains in optimal working condition, aligning with global operational standards that require refineries to undergo servicing every 9 to 12 months.

To avoid disruption in fuel supply, NNPCL has made arrangements that include tapping into its existing fuel reserves and receiving support from the Dangote Refinery. If necessary, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) may also authorize fuel imports, although officials believe this won’t be required.

The maintenance is also intended to support the broader goal of sustainable energy delivery. NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Femi Soneye, confirmed that updates will be provided regularly and that the shutdown is coordinated with all relevant authorities.

Meanwhile, the Warri Refinery is expected to resume operations shortly after the Port Harcourt maintenance concludes. However, its restart is delayed due to a damaged part that must be custom-manufactured by the original equipment supplier—a process expected to take about 45 days.

The Port Harcourt refinery, initially shut down in 2020 due to low output, resumed partial operations in late 2024. Its current capacity includes producing gasoline, diesel, kerosene, fuel oil, and LPG. The restart marked the activation of a 60,000-barrel-per-day crude distillation unit, with further expansion expected.

NNPCL reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and energy security throughout the maintenance period.

FAITH MIMDOO KEGH

Manager – Oversees the daily operations, editorial planning, and strategic direction of the platform. A graduate with a solid academic foundation in media and communication, Faith brings a wealth of experience to the TokinPoint.

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