No Explosion at Port Harcourt Refinery, NNPCL Clarifies Incident as Routine Flare

By Joycelyn Ellakeche Adah

The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has dismissed reports of an explosion at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) in Rivers State, clarifying that the incident was merely a flare event that has been fully contained.

In a statement by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Mr. Olufemi Soneye, the national oil company assured the public that the situation posed no threat to staff, surrounding communities, or the environment.

NNPC Ltd further urged the media to disregard any claims of an explosion, labeling such reports as false and misleading.

The statement reads: “The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has refuted reports of an explosion at the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC) in Rivers State.

The company clarified that what occurred was a flare incident, which has since been fully contained.

“There is no danger or health hazard to staff, the surrounding communities, or the environment. NNPC Ltd. urges the media and the public to disregard any reports suggesting an explosion at the refinery, as they are entirely false.”

This clarification follows heightened public concern and media speculation over an alleged explosion at the refinery, with reports circulating on social media suggesting a major industrial accident.

NNPC Ltd, however, emphasized that the flare incident was a routine operational occurrence and did not result in any damage or injuries.

It would be recalled that PHRC has been undergoing rehabilitation as part of the federal government’s broader efforts to restore domestic refining capacity and reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.