The Warri Refining & Petrochemicals Company (WRPC), located in Warri, Delta State, is now operational, with a production capacity of 125,000 barrels per day. This significant milestone was announced by the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, during an official tour of the facility on Monday.
Before commencing the tour, Kyari addressed his team, affirming the progress made in restarting the refinery. “We are taking you through our plant. This plant is operational. Although it is not yet 100 percent complete, significant progress has been made. Many people doubt the feasibility of such achievements in this country. Today, we want to show you that this is real,” Kyari stated.
He commended the determination and commitment of the team and contractors who worked tirelessly to bring the facility back to life after its deliberate shutdown. “We have proved that it is possible to restart a plant that was intentionally shut down. This success is a testament to the belief in our capability as a company,” Kyari added.
The WRPC’s operations have begun with the activation of the first stage, referred to as Area 1. This section is producing essential petroleum products such as AGO (diesel), kerosene, and naphtha, which are of high quality and meet both domestic and export demands. “These products are critical for the country, and with this progress, Nigeria will not only meet local needs but also become an exporter of petroleum products, fulfilling the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu,” Kyari said.
Kyari credited the success to President Tinubu’s directive to ensure that all three of Nigeria’s refineries are brought back to full operation. He revealed that the Port Harcourt refinery, with a capacity of 65,000 barrels per day, is already operational. Similarly, the Warri refinery has successfully started operations in its first phase, while additional units capable of producing Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) will be activated soon. The Kaduna refinery is also undergoing rehabilitation, with progress being made. “We won’t announce specific dates, but we assure you we will deliver impressive results soon,” Kyari said confidently.
Accompanying the tour was the Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Farouk Ahmed, among other officials. The WRPC, strategically located across Ekpan, Uwvie, and Ubeji areas of Warri, includes a petrochemical plant with the capacity to produce 13,000 metric tons per annum (MTA) of polypropylene and 18,000 MTA of carbon black.
Commissioned in 1978 and managed by the NNPCL, the WRPC was originally designed to cater to the petroleum needs of Nigeria’s southern and southwestern regions. With its current rehabilitation and operational success, the facility is poised to play a critical role in boosting the country’s petroleum product supply, reducing dependency on imports, and generating foreign exchange through exports.
