The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has set its sights on achieving the mechanical completion of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company in the first quarter of this year.
The Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC), located in Ubeji and Ijala-Ikenren communities in Warri, Delta State, has been undergoing rehabilitation as part of the Federal Government’s efforts to revitalize Nigeria’s refineries. Established in 1978, the WRPC is one of the three refineries managed by NNPCL, with the other two situated in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, and Kaduna.
The Warri refinery, with a capacity to refine 125,000 barrels of crude oil per day, is a complex conversion facility that also includes a petrochemical plant producing polypropylene and carbon black. While it has historically supplied petroleum products to southern and southwestern Nigeria, it is currently not operational due to the ongoing rehabilitation work.
In response to inquiries about the anticipated completion date, Olufemi Soneye, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NNPCL, confirmed the target for Warri refinery’s mechanical completion is set for Q1 2024.
Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, acknowledged the significant rehabilitation efforts at the refineries, emphasizing the complexity of the projects. He expressed optimism that the refineries, including the Warri facility, would soon commence production.
The Port Harcourt Refining Company’s Area-5 plant recently completed its mechanical phase, with final touches being applied. Soneye highlighted that industry-based testing is underway, focusing on various aspects such as leaks, air, line blowing, flushing, drying, steam out, calibration, plant inerting, and hydrocarbon introduction. He assured adherence to global best practices, and production at the Port Harcourt refinery is expected to commence shortly.
While the rehabilitation of the Port Harcourt refinery’s Area-5 plant was celebrated on December 21, 2023, the start of refining activities is yet to materialize. The NNPCL remains committed to revitalizing Nigeria’s refineries to enhance the nation’s energy security and economic stability.
Timipre Abowei