NNPC Limited on Friday said that the recently re-streamed Warri Refinery would shortly resume operations after being shut down for normal maintenance.
In a statement, the company’s chief communications officer, Mr. Olufemi Soneye, confirmed that the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) did not experience an explosion, calling any claim that said otherwise “completely false.”
According to Soneye’s statement, “operations at WRPC Area 1 were purposefully halted on January 25, 2025, in order to perform necessary intervention works on a selection of equipment, including field instruments that were affecting sustainable and steady operations.”
“These intervention projects are necessary to guarantee the production of intermediate and finished goods that meet specifications, especially kerosene (Kero) and automotive gas oil (AGO).”
“The regular maintenance is proceeding according to schedule, and Area 1 will resume operations in the next days. Over the last 11 days, AGO loading has been kept at an average of eight trucks per day despite continuous interventions, and there is a sufficient supply to support continuous truck load-out operations.
“NNPC Ltd is dedicated to maintaining a steady supply of products and values the cooperation and patience of all parties involved as it performs these necessary maintenance tasks.”
After more than ten years in a coma, the refinery that produces 125,000 barrels per day was re-steamed shortly before the new year.
According to NNPC, it was only running at 60% capacity. The $1.48 billion contract for the repair of the Warri and Kaduna refineries was approved by the Federal Executive Council in August 2021.