… Produces Naphtha, Diesel, Kerosene
The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Ltd) has delivered on its promise to revive the Warri Refinery by the end of 2024 by restreaming the plant’s Crude Distillation Unit.
According to a press release signed by the Chief Corporate Communications Officer, NNPC Ltd., Olufemi O. Soneye, on Monday, 30th December 2024, the restreaming of the CDU marks the beginning of the refinery’s gradual start-up following its successful rehabilitation.
Speaking at a media tour of the Warri Refinery Complex, Ekpan, Delta State, the Managing Director of the Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company (WRPC), Engr. Chu Efifia explained that with the CDU successfully restreamed, the plant has commenced the production of petroleum products such as Automotive Gas Oil (Diesel), Household Kerosene (HHK), Naphtha, and Low-Pour Fuel Oil (LPFO).
The MD further detailed the refinery’s production status, saying the plant was currently processing 75,000 barrels per day, which translates to 60 percent of its installed capacity.
He said the plant was currently producing 2.9 million litres of diesel, 1.9 million litres of kerosene, and 4.9 million litres of fuel oil, adding that the production of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) will follow in the days ahead as other units of the refinery come on stream.
Highlighting the significance of the refinery start-up, the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPC Ltd, Mr Mele Kyari, said it was the beginning of Nigeria’s journey to becoming a net producer of refined petroleum products to become a net exporter in keeping with the mandate of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking in a similar vein, the Chairman of the Board of Directors, NNPC Ltd, Chief Pius Akinyelure, expressed satisfaction with the development, stressing that very soon Nigeria would exit petroleum products importation and become a net exporter.
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), Chief Executive Officer, Engr. Farouk Ahmed, congratulated NNPC Ltd on the feat of restreaming the refinery, adding that with the coming onstream of more refineries, there would be more competition in the market which would in turn force down the pump prices of petroleum products to the benefit of Nigerians.
The 125,000bpd capacity Warri Refinery was commissioned in 1978. It was shut down for rehabilitation in 2021 with Daewoo Engineering as the EPC contractor.
