The Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company (WRPC), in Delta State, yesterday commenced operations with the production of kerosene, diesel and naptha.
The operations of the 125,000 barrels per day(bpd) facility follows the recent commencement of crude refining at the 60, 000 barrels per day at the old Port Harcourt Refinery.
Group Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Ltd, Mr. Mele Kyari, disclosed this during a facility tour of the plant on Monday.
“We are taking you through our plant. This plant is running. Although it is not 100 per cent complete, we are still in the process. Many people think these things are not real. They think real things are not possible in this country. We want you to see that this is real,” he said before the tour. A breakdown shows that 60 per cent of 125, 000 barrels per day production draws down to 75, 000 barrels of crude oil per day being processed by the facility.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has expressed joy at the re-opening of the refinery, describing it as another remarkable achievement that he believes has strengthened Nigerians’ hope in his administration.
A statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, said the refinery returned to operation weeks after NNPC restarted the 60,000 barrels-per-day at the Port Harcourt Refinery in November.
“With Warri refinery going into operation after several years of inactivity, President Tinubu has once again expressed his administration’s determination to ramp up local refining capacity and make Nigeria a hub for downstream industrial activities in Africa.
“The All Progressives Congress-led administration of President Muhammadu Buhari awarded the contract for the complete rehabilitation and overhaul of the four state-owned refineries,’’ he said.
President Tinubu said that with the 125,000 (bpd) Warri refinery now operating at 60 per cent capacity, his administration’s plan to ensure energy efficiency and security is on course.
“The restart of Warri Refinery today brings joy to me and to Nigerians. This will further strengthen the confidence of Nigerians for the better future we promised.
“This development is a remarkable way to end the year following the feat recorded earlier with the old Port Harcourt Refinery. I am equally happy that NNPC Limited is implementing my directive to restore all four refineries to good working condition.
“I congratulate Mele Kyari and his team at NNPCL for working hard to restore our national pride and make Nigeria a hub for crude oil refining in Africa,” President Tinubu said.
WRPC will focus on producing and storing critical products, including Straight Run Kerosene (SRK), Automotive Gas Oil (AGO), and heavy and light Naphtha.
Kyari said, “I must congratulate our team for their determination and belief that this company can restart this plant.
“This has brought the result we are seeing in collaboration with our contractors. We have proved that it is possible to restart a plant that you deliberately shut down.
“This plant has three stages. We have started stage one which is called Area 1, able to produce AGO (diesel), kerosene, naphtha and others. These are brands of high-quality products required in the country. will also be able to export them.
“We have successfully started the Port Harcourt 65, 000 barrels per day refinery. We have also started the area 1 of the Warri refinery. The other plants that will produce PMS will also come live. Kaduna is also on stream. We are not going to give you a date but we will surprise you.”
Credit: The Sun