Port Harcourt Refining Company Ceases Operations Again Less Than a Month After Resuming

Less than a month after its much-anticipated resumption, the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) has halted production once more. The facility, which had reopened on November 26, 2024, following a $1.5 billion rehabilitation, stopped operations on December 13, 2024.

During a recent visit on December 19, it was observed that the loading area was empty, with many trucks parked but not being utilized for loading. This quiet environment starkly contrasts the initial excitement surrounding the refinery's reopening, which had included some gasoline distribution.

While specific reasons for the latest shutdown have not been disclosed, it is believed that operational challenges, including equipment calibration and issues related to the removal of water from old fuel supplies, may have played a role