Excitement emerged around the refinery zone in Eleme where flames rose in the morning of Sunday, June 29, 2025, over the second Port Harcourt Refinery known as PHR 2. There is also indications that the old refinery is being tested again.
The refineries are at Alesa Eleme near Port Harcourt, Rivers State. Petroleum marketers around the area said this was indication that the 150,000-capacity new refinery would soon begin production because the plant seemed to be under test.
By Sunday morning, the flare through which unwanted gas generated during the production process is emitted was lighted to the excitement of petroleum marketers.
More than one billion dollars has been committed to Port Harcourt Refineries which have been undergoing major rehabilitation since 2021.
The excitement stems from hopes that products from the local refineries would be cheaper in the market and more available in the domestic market.
The management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited had promised that the refinery would begin production before the end of 2025.
The old Port Harcourt refinery, which was shut down last month for emergency repairs, is also undergoing testing and could resume production soon.
Sources in Eleme said marketers have called for the production of the Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) otherwise called petrol at the refineries. They said only kerosene and diesel were produced before now.
Producing petrol at the Port Harcourt refinery would make the very essential petrol available in the market at a rate affordable by everyone.
More domestic production of petroleum products in Nigeria can improve the value of the naira because importation of the products has put a lot of pressure on the currency.
Marketers had since called for appointment of a General Manager at the PH Refinery to ensure speedy completion of repairs.
