The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has announced a temporary shutdown of operations at the recently re-streamed Warri Refinery for routine maintenance. The company assured the public that the facility would resume operations shortly.
In a statement issued on Friday by its Chief Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, NNPC dismissed rumors of an explosion at the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC), labeling the claims as “completely false.”
Soneye explained that operations at WRPC Area 1 were deliberately suspended on January 25, 2025, to carry out intervention works on specific equipment necessary for stable and sustainable operations.
“These intervention works are essential to ensure the production of on-specification finished and intermediate products, particularly Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Kerosene (Kero),” the statement read.
Despite the ongoing maintenance, NNPC confirmed that diesel loading has continued at an average of eight trucks per day to maintain a steady supply and sustain trucking operations.
“The routine maintenance is progressing as planned, and Area 1 will be back in operation within the next few days,” Soneye added.
The company emphasized its commitment to ensuring uninterrupted product supply and thanked stakeholders for their patience during the maintenance period.
The 125,000 barrels-per-day Warri Refinery was re-streamed just before the New Year after being inactive for over a decade. NNPC had previously reported that the facility was operating at 60% capacity following its rehabilitation.
The refinery’s upgrade is part of a broader effort by the Federal Government to restore local refining capacity. In August 2021, the Federal Executive Council (FEC) approved $1.48 billion for the rehabilitation of both the Warri and Kaduna refineries.
NNPC’s latest statement aims to alleviate public concerns and reinforce its commitment to maintaining stable petroleum product supplies amid the ongoing upgrade process.