Warri Refinery Starts Operations After Repair
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) announced the Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company resumed operations on December 30, 2024. The refinery, with a 125,000-barrel-per-day capacity, began operations just one month after Port Harcourt Refinery. Significant repairs have been completed, making the refinery fully operational again.
NNPCL CEO Mele Kyari Gives Update on the Refinery
Mele Kyari, NNPCL Group CEO, confirmed the Warri refinery’s resumption during a tour with key officials. The tour, featuring Farouk Ahmed, showcased progress since the refinery’s closure for repairs. Kyari emphasized that, although repairs continued, the refinery was now active and boosting Nigeria’s oil production.
Kyari Addresses Public Concerns About Progress
Kyari addressed concerns from Nigerians who questioned the feasibility of the repairs, stressing that the resumption of operations was a reality. “Although the work is not yet 100% complete, the plant is running,” Kyari stated. He emphasized that the progress made thus far shows that significant developments in the oil sector are indeed possible in Nigeria.
The Role of the Warri Refinery in Nigeria’s Energy Sector
Located in Warri, Delta State, the WRPC is an essential part of Nigeria’s oil infrastructure, producing not only petroleum products but also petrochemicals like polypropylene and carbon black. These materials are crucial for various industries in southern and southwestern Nigeria. The plant, commissioned in 1978, has been a key supplier to these regions for decades.
Repair Timeline and Future Expectations
NNPCL had initially planned for the mechanical completion of the Warri Refinery by the first quarter of 2024. However, with operations now underway, the timeline for full completion may extend slightly beyond the original projections. According to NNPCL spokesperson Olufemi Soneye, the repairs and upgrades are still ongoing, but the refinery’s resumption is seen as a positive step towards restoring Nigeria’s refining capabilities.
Significance for Nigeria’s Oil Industry
The restart of the Warri Refinery marks a critical milestone for Nigeria’s oil sector, especially as the country seeks to reduce its reliance on imported refined petroleum products. Alongside the Port Harcourt Refinery, which also resumed operations recently, the country aims to bolster domestic refining capacity and improve energy security in the coming years. The successful rehabilitation of these facilities signals hope for further progress in Nigeria’s oil industry.
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