The Warri Refining & Petrochemicals Company (WRPC), located in Warri, Delta State, has commenced production at a capacity of 125,000 barrels per day.
The Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), Mele Kyari, announced this development on Monday.
During his visit to the facility earlier today, Kyari, who was addressing a team on the tour, said: “We are taking you through our plant. This plant is running. It is not 100 percent. We are still in the process. Many people think these things are not real. They think real things are not possible in this country. We want you to see that this is real.”
Among the tour team was the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) Chief Executive Officer Farouk Ahmen.
“I must congratulate our team for their determination and extreme belief that this company can restart this plant.
“This has brought the result we are seeing in collaboration with our contractors. We have proved that it is possible to restart a plant that you deliberately shut down. We have proved this.
“This plant has three stages. We have started stage one which is called Area 1, able to produce AGO (diesel), Kerosene, naphtha and others. These are brands of high-quality products required in the country. We will also be able to export them. This country will make money to meet the promises of Mr president that this country will be an exporter of petroleum products.
“I must put on record the development was as a result of the charge by Mr President that we must get all three refineries to work. It is already happening. We have successfully started the Port Harcourt 65, 000 barrels per day refinery. We have also started the area 1 of the Warri refinery. The other plants that will produce PMS will also come live.
“Kaduna is also on stream. We are not going to give you a date but we will surprise you,” Kyari further remarked.
Situated in Ekpan, Uwvie, and Ubeji, Warri, the Petrochemical plant has an annual production capacity of 13,000 million tons of polypropylene and 18,000 million tons of carbon black.
Established in 1978 and operated by the NNPCL, the WRPC was designed to cater to the markets in the southern and southwestern regions of Nigeria.
As per the statement from NNPCL spokesperson Olufemi Soneye, the mechanical completion of the facility was initially projected for the first quarter of this year.
“Warri should be done by Q1 (first quarter) 2024,” Soneye stated.
The other two include the old and new Port Harcourt Refining Company in Rivers State and the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company in Kaduna State.
The development came following the recent commencement of crude refining at the old Port Harcourt Refinery.
Henzodaily recalls that in a statement released in November 2024, through his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu acknowledges the pivotal role of former President Muhammadu Buhari in initiating the comprehensive rehabilitation of all Nigerian refineries and expresses gratitude to the African Export-Import Bank for its confidence in financing this critical project.
Tinubu also commends the leadership of NNPC Limited’s Group Chief Executive Officer, Mele Kyari, for his unwavering dedication and commitment to overcoming challenges and achieving the new milestone.
President Tinubu directed that with the successful revival of the Port Harcourt refinery, NNPC Limited should expedite the scheduled reactivation of both the second Port Harcourt refinery and the Warri and Kaduna refineries.
The statement added, “These efforts will significantly enhance domestic production capacity alongside the contributions of privately-owned refineries and make our country a major energy hub, with the gas sector also enjoying unprecedented attention by the administration.
“The President underscores his administration’s determination to repair the nation’s refineries, aiming to eradicate the disheartening perception of Nigeria as a major crude oil producer that lacks the ability to refine its own resources for domestic consumption.
“Highlighting the values of patience, integrity, and accountability in the rebuilding of the nation’s infrastructure, President Tinubu calls upon individuals, institutions, and citizens entrusted with responsibilities to maintain focus and uphold trust in their service to the nation.
“In alignment with the Renewed Hope Agenda focused on shared economic prosperity for all, the President reaffirms his administration’s commitment to achieving energy sufficiency, enhancing energy security, and boosting export capacity for Nigeria.”