The Warri Refining & Petrochemicals Company in Delta State has officially begun production at a rate of 125,000 barrels per day. This significant milestone was announced on Monday by Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL).
During his visit to the facility, Kyari addressed the visiting team, stating, “We are taking you through our plant. This plant is operational, though not yet at full capacity. We are still in the process of enhancing its performance. Many people doubt the feasibility of such achievements in this country, but we want to demonstrate that it is indeed possible.”
Accompanying Kyari on the tour was Farouk Ahmen, Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA). Kyari praised his team’s commitment and belief in the potential to restart the plant, highlighting the collaboration with contractors that has led to the current progress.
He explained that the plant operates in three stages and that they have successfully commenced operations in Area 1, which produces high-quality products such as diesel, kerosene, and naphtha, with plans for export as well. He expressed confidence that Nigeria would meet President Tinubu’s vision of becoming a petroleum product exporter.
Kyari noted that the revitalization of the refinery was driven by the President’s directive to ensure all three refineries operate effectively. He mentioned that the Port Harcourt refinery has also resumed operations, with the Kaduna facility set to follow suit.
The Petrochemical plant, located in Ekpan, Uwvie, and Ubeji, has an annual production capacity of 13,000 million tons of polypropylene and 18,000 million tons of carbon black. Established in 1978 and managed by NNPCL, the WRPC was designed to serve the southern and southwestern markets of Nigeria.
According to NNPCL spokesperson Olufemi Soneye, the mechanical completion of the facility was initially planned for the first quarter of this year, with expectations for the Warri plant to be fully operational by Q1 2024. This announcement follows the recent initiation of crude refining at the old Port Harcourt Refinery.
In a statement from November 2024, President Tinubu acknowledged the contributions of former President Muhammadu Buhari in initiating the comprehensive rehabilitation of Nigeria’s refineries and thanked the African Export-Import Bank for its support in financing this vital project.
