The Port Harcourt Refinery has experienced a temporary shutdown, with only the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) currently operational, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) confirmed today. This operational adjustment means the refinery is currently unable to produce Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) or other refined petroleum products.
Sources close to the refinery indicated that the shutdown was necessary to carry out essential maintenance and system checks to ensure the continued safe and efficient operation of the facility. While the CDU is still processing crude oil, it does not have the capacity to convert the raw product into the finished gasoline and other refined products required for local consumption.
The NNPC reassured the public that efforts are underway to resolve the situation swiftly. The refinery, which has long been a major part of Nigeria’s refining capacity, has undergone several rehabilitation phases in recent years. Despite the temporary halt in production, the corporation remains committed to ramping up operations in the near future to meet the nation’s fuel needs.
“We understand the importance of stable fuel supply to the nation’s economy and are working to ensure that this brief disruption does not have lasting impacts on PMS availability,” an NNPC spokesperson said. “Our technical teams are on the ground, and we are making every effort to restore full operations as quickly as possible.”
The Port Harcourt Refinery has been a key player in Nigeria’s push to reduce dependency on imported petroleum products, but continued challenges in maintaining consistent output have led to periodic interruptions in production.