The Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company (WRPC), operated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), has resumed operations, with oil marketers now loading Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) and Dual Purpose Kerosene (kerosene) from the facility.
Marketers confirmed this development to Sunday PUNCH on Friday while expressing hope for the production and distribution of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), commonly known as petrol, in the coming months. The refinery, which resumed operations on December 30, 2024, is currently operating below full capacity.
Speaking at the refinery, Harry Okenini, Chairman of the Delta State chapter of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), stated:
“Right now, there is no production of petrol. So, we are not loading PMS. We can confirm that the plant is working, although not at 100 per cent. Hopefully, by February, we are expecting cooking gas, PMS, and other products to come out.”
Other stakeholders, including Kingsley Erituoyo, Delta State Chairman of the Surface Tank and Kerosene Peddlers branch of NUPENG, expressed optimism about the refinery’s gradual return to full functionality. He remarked:
“For so many years, the refinery was down. Today, the refinery is up.”
However, on-site observations revealed limited activity compared to the refinery’s peak operational days. Sources inside the WRPC complex disclosed that only one of the three units is currently functional, producing diesel, gas, and kerosene.
An insider revealed:
“If all units are working, we can load over 100 trucks daily. Right now, about 50 trucks are being loaded. The second unit, once operational, can produce PMS, while the last unit is the most complex and critical for full capacity.”
The revival of WRPC is seen as a critical step in reducing Nigeria’s dependency on imported petroleum products. Industry experts emphasize that further investment and effort are required by the Federal Government and NNPCL to bring the refinery to full operational capacity.
While activities at the warri refinery have resumed, security measures remain tight, with journalists barred from capturing photos of the premises. The anticipation for PMS production continues to grow among marketers and stakeholders as the refinery gears up for enhanced operations in 2025.
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