After a 34-day hiatus following the resumption of operations at the Port Harcourt Refinery, the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) has restarted production. Tankers carrying diesel and kerosene began leaving the plant yesterday, marking the resumption of full-scale operations.
Additionally, naphthalene, a compound used in the production of mothballs, lubricants, and other chemicals, is also being manufactured at the refinery. Production of petrol is expected to begin shortly at the 125,000 barrels per day capacity refinery.
Mele Kyari, the Group Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited, confirmed the restart of the Warri refinery late on Sunday. Sources indicate that work is still ongoing in Areas 2 and 3, as well as in the Fluid Catalytic Cracking (FCC) unit, to ensure the refinery operates at full capacity. At present, WRPC is running at 60 percent of its potential output.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed satisfaction with the reopening of the refinery, calling it a “remarkable way to close out 2024.” He stated that the development reaffirms public trust in his administration’s efforts to revitalize Nigeria’s oil and gas industry.
In a statement, Bayo Onanuga, the presidential spokesman, relayed President Tinubu’s praise for the NNPCL management, particularly Kyari, for their commitment to restoring Nigeria’s refining capabilities.
Tinubu remarked, “The restart of the Warri Refinery brings joy and optimism to Nigerians. This achievement, alongside the success of the Port Harcourt Refinery earlier this year, strengthens our hope for a better future. I am pleased that NNPCL is following through on my directive to restore all four refineries, and I look forward to the completion of the Kaduna and second Port Harcourt refineries.”
He also highlighted his government’s dedication to achieving energy security and positioning Nigeria as a leading hub for oil refining in Africa.
Partial production resumed at the Area 1 plant of WRPC on Saturday, with diesel (Automotive Gas Oil or AGO), dual-purpose kerosene (DPK), and naphthalene being produced. Efforts are underway to begin petrol production shortly.
During a tour of the refinery with NNPCL board members and other stakeholders, Kyari proudly announced, “This plant is running,” despite the fact that the refinery is not yet fully operational. He emphasized that products are already being supplied to the market, even as certain parts of the plant remain under construction.
A source revealed that petrol production is expected to commence “very soon,” with the refinery already producing AGO and DPK. The FCC unit and the other two plants are yet to be fully functional.
Bago, Yusuf, and IPMAN Applaud Tinubu’s Efforts
Niger State Governor Umaru Bago, Muda Yusuf, CEO of the Center for the Promotion of Private Enterprise (CPPE), and the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) have all praised the restart of the Warri Refinery, seeing it as a significant step toward energy stability.
Bago lauded President Tinubu’s initiative to revive the Warri refinery after years of dormancy, noting that it complements the restoration of the Port Harcourt refinery. He described the reopening as a testament to the President’s “renewed hope agenda” and expressed optimism that the Kaduna refinery and the second Port Harcourt refinery will soon follow suit.
Yusuf, echoing similar sentiments, highlighted the economic benefits of the refinery’s restart, particularly in improving Nigeria’s energy security and reducing reliance on foreign oil imports. He emphasized the importance of creating a level playing field for all refineries in Nigeria, including Dangote’s refinery and NNPCL’s plants, and urged the government to continue supporting these projects with favorable fiscal policies.
Yusuf also pointed out that the increase in local refining would eventually lead to a reduction in fuel prices, a long-awaited benefit for Nigerians. “The Warri refinery’s return to production is a major boost to Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in petroleum products, and we expect this to result in lower energy costs,” he said.
Abubakar Maigandi, IPMAN’s National President, also welcomed the development, noting that an increase in petroleum product availability would likely lead to lower prices. “With local production ramping up, the next step will be price reduction,” he stated, emphasizing that a steady supply of refined products would enhance energy security across the nation.