In a major stride for Nigeria’s oil and gas industry, the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) has resumed operations, marking another significant milestone for the country’s energy sector. This announcement comes just a month after the successful restart of the Port Harcourt Refinery, further reinforcing the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited’s (NNPCL) efforts to revitalize the nation’s refining capacity.
Mele Kyari, the Group CEO of NNPCL, revealed the exciting news during a tour of the facility in Warri, Delta State. Kyari was accompanied by Farouk Ahmed, the CEO of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, as well as other officials. In his address, Kyari shared that while the facility is not yet fully completed, operations are already underway, a testament to the remarkable progress made in the project.
“We’re here to show you that it’s real,” Kyari said, as he invited the team to witness the operations firsthand. “This plant is running, even though there’s still work to be done. Many doubt what can be achieved in Nigeria, but we’re proving them wrong.”
The WRPC, located in the Ekpan, Uwvie, and Ubeji areas of Warri, has been a cornerstone of Nigeria’s oil sector since its commissioning in 1978. It plays a crucial role in supplying petroleum products to the southern and southwestern parts of the country. Additionally, the refinery produces vital petrochemical products, such as polypropylene and carbon black, with annual outputs of 13,000 metric tonnes and 18,000 metric tonnes, respectively.
This successful restart of the Warri refinery is part of NNPCL’s broader strategy to boost local refining capacity and reduce the nation’s dependence on imported fuel. Initially scheduled for completion in the first quarter of 2024, the plant’s return to operations is an exciting step in the right direction for Nigeria’s energy future.
With the Warri refinery now back in action, Nigeria takes another bold step toward achieving energy independence and strengthening its oil and gas infrastructure.
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