The Warri Refining & Petrochemicals Company (WRPC), with a capacity of 125,000 barrels per day, has resumed operations in Warri, Delta State.
NNPCL CEO Confirms Operations
During a facility tour on Monday, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, confirmed the refinery’s functionality, though he noted that work on the plant is not fully complete.
“We are taking you through our plant. This plant is running. Although it is not 100 per cent complete, we are still in the process. Many people think these things are not real. We want you to see that this is real,” Kyari stated.
Key Facility Details
Production Capacity:
Polypropylene: 13,000 million tons per annum (MTA).
Carbon Black: 18,000 MTA.
Location: Ekpan, Uwvie, and Ubeji areas of Warri.
Commissioned: 1978.
Purpose: Built to supply refined petroleum products to the southern and southwestern markets of Nigeria.
Mechanical Completion Timeline
The WRPC’s mechanical completion was initially scheduled for the first quarter of 2024, according to NNPCL spokesperson Olufemi Soneye.
The facility joins other major refineries in Nigeria, including:
The old and new Port Harcourt Refining Company in Rivers State.
The Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company in Kaduna State.
Significance of the Development
The WRPC’s operational status marks a critical step in Nigeria’s efforts to reduce reliance on imported refined petroleum products and improve energy security.
This development follows the recent commencement of crude refining at the old Port Harcourt Refinery, signaling progress in the revitalization of the country’s refining capacity.
The WRPC’s resumption underscores the NNPCL’s commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s refining infrastructure and achieving self-sufficiency in petroleum product supply.
