Port Harcourt Refinery Continues Diesel Supply Despite Shutdown – NMDPRA

The Port Harcourt Refining Company, despite being under a prolonged shutdown, continues to supply diesel (automotive gas oil, AGO) to the Nigerian market. According to recent disclosures by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the refinery maintains a daily evacuation of approximately 349,000 litres of diesel, even though no active production is currently taking place. This information was highlighted in the NMDPRA’s latest data update available on its official website.

The NMDPRA report confirms that although the refinery has been non-operational since May 24, 2025, following a shutdown ordered by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd.), diesel stock produced before the shutdown is still being distributed to meet market demand.

According to the agency:

“No production activities as the Port Harcourt refinery remains in shutdown mode. However, evacuation of AGO produced while the refinery was operational before 24th May 2025 continued at an average of 0.349 million litres per day.”

The refinery’s shutdown, which was initially scheduled to last one month for maintenance, has now extended to over seven months, with operations yet to resume.

LMSINT MEDIA recalls that on May 23, 2025, the immediate past Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPC, Olufemi Soneye, informed our correspondent that the refinery would undergo a month-long maintenance exercise. This was officially confirmed by Soneye on May 24, 2025, when the refinery was formally declared shut for maintenance. Despite the expected short-term closure, the refinery has yet to recommence fuel production even after more than half a year.

Historically, the Port Harcourt Refinery had undergone significant rehabilitation and modernization. The former Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC, Mele Kyari, had declared the refinery fully operational in November 2024, ending years of inactivity. At that time, the refinery, with a 60,000-barrel daily capacity, had reportedly resumed operations at 70% of its installed capacity after receiving upgrades and modern equipment.

At full capacity, the refinery is designed to primarily produce diesel and pour fuel oil, with daily outputs projected at 1.5 million litres for diesel and 2.1 million litres for pour fuel oil. Despite the shutdown, the continuous evacuation of diesel stock underscores the refinery’s strategic role in Nigeria’s downstream petroleum sector, ensuring that fuel supply remains stable in the market.

This ongoing situation highlights the persistent challenges in refinery operations and maintenance schedules in Nigeria, emphasizing the need for timely execution of repair works and efficient operational management to prevent long-term fuel shortages.