The Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company, WRPC in Delta State, South-South Nigeria has commenced production, marking a significant milestone in Nigeria’s quest for energy self-sufficiency.
Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited, NNPCL, Mele Kyari said the refinery, with a capacity of 125,000 barrels per day, is now operational.
During a tour of the facility on Monday, Kyari confirmed that the refinery is up and running, although it is not yet 100% complete.
“We want you to see that this is real,” he told the tour team, which included the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, Farouk Ahmed.
The WRPC, located in Ekpan, Uwvie, and Ubeji in Warri, produces 13,000 million tons per annum, MTA of polypropylene and 18,000 MTA of carbon black.
The facility was commissioned in 1978 and is managed by the NNPCL. The mechanical completion of the facility was initially scheduled for the first quarter of 2024.
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The development comes on the heels of the recent commencement of crude refining at the old Port Harcourt Refinery recently.
The Warri Refinery is one of four refineries in Nigeria, along with the old and new Port Harcourt Refining Company in Rivers State, and the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company in Kaduna State.
This breakthrough is expected to boost Nigeria’s refining capacity, reduce dependence on imported petroleum products, and stimulate economic growth.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has expressed profound joy at the re-opening of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company by the NNPC Limited, describing it as another remarkable achievement in 2024 that has strengthened Nigerians’ hope in his administration.
The President in a statement made available by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga says, “Today, the Warri Refinery returned to operation weeks after NNPC Limited restarted the 60,000 Barrels per day at the Port Harcourt Refinery in November.”
He said
With Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, WRPC going into operation after several years of inactivity, this development once again expressed President Tinubu’s administration’s determination to ramp up local refining capacity and make Nigeria a hub for downstream industrial activities in Africa.
The statement reads that “The All Progressives Congress-led administration of President Muhammadu Buhari awarded the contract for the complete rehabilitation and overhaul of the four state-owned refineries.”
President Tinubu noted with confidence that with the 125,000 bpd Warri Refinery now operating at 60% capacity, his administration’s comprehensive plan to ensure energy efficiency and security is entirely on course. He praised the Mele Kyari-led management of the NNPCL for working hard to restore Nigeria’s glory and pride as a major oil-producing country.
“The restart of Warri Refinery today brings joy and gladness to me and Nigerians. This will further strengthen the hope and confidence of Nigerians for a greater and better future that we promised. This development is a remarkable way to end the year following the feat recorded earlier with the old Port Harcourt Refinery. I am equally happy that NNPC Limited is implementing my directive to restore all four refineries to good working condition.
President Tinubu enjoined NNPCL to accelerate repair work on Kaduna Refinery and the 150,000 (bpd) second refinery in Port Harcourt to consolidate Nigeria’s position as a global energy provider.
(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
