The Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) is currently in the midst of a test-run, as confirmed by the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri.

Speaking to journalists about the refinery’s status, Lokpobiri emphasized its significance to the country’s economic well-being. He assured that refined petroleum products from the facility would soon be available in the market, highlighting the completion of the mechanical aspect of the refinery.

“I believe that very soon products will start coming from there…and the Warri refinery is in top gear.”

The minister who didn’t give a timeline, however, expressed optimism that in a few months, there would be enough petroleum products in the country.

“If you ask me, in the next few months, we would have tremendously increased our refining capacity.

“So I believe that very soon the Port Harcourt refinery and the other refineries will all come on stream,” he said.

Meanwhile, it was reported in December 2023 that the PHRC had resumed operations several months after it was shut down for rehabilitation by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).

Business Day quoted Amaka Okafor, Special Assistant to the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, who confirmed the resumption of operation at the refinery by saying, “Yes, the refinery is set, we will visit the refinery site today to kickstart its operation.”