Production has started at the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) 34 days after the rollout of petrol from the old Port-Harcourt Refinery in Rivers State.
Oil marketers started distribution of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) and kerosene from the refinery while setting their eyes on Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) production by February.
Naphthalene, an organic compound used to make mothballs, lubricants and other chemicals are also being produced.
Recall that the Group Chief Executive Officer of NNPCL, Mele Kyari, had earlier announced on December 30, 2024, that the facility was back online after undergoing rehabilitation.
During a visit to the refinery, the Chairman of the Delta State chapter of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), Harry Okenini, confirmed that the plant was operational but not yet running at full capacity.
“Right now, there is no production of petrol. So, we are not loading PMS. We hope to load PMS soon. We can confirm to you that the plant is working although not at 100 per cent. And IPMAN, Warri Depot Unit, is waiting for the production of PMS so that we can load,” Okenini stated.
“For now, only the Automotive Gas Oil, popularly called diesel, and Dual Purpose Kerosene are being produced and loaded out for consumption. Hopefully, by February, we are expecting cooking gas, PMS, and other products to come out. As of now, the retail unit is only loading AGO and DPK”, he added.
The National Chairman of the Surface Tank and Kerosene Peddlers, a branch of NUPENG, Israel Omokere, also confirmed the refinery’s operation.
“Hopefully, the PMS will come on board. We are loading kerosene and AGO for now,” he said.
Also, Kingsley Erituoyo, Delta State Chairman of the Surface Tank and Kerosene Peddlers branch of NUPENG, expressed optimism about the facility’s revival.
“For so many years, the refinery was down. Today, the refinery is up,” he remarked.
Though, a site visit revealed limited truck movements and minimal activities compared to the refinery’s peak operational periods. Security operatives at the main gate also restricted photography within the premises.
Moreover, an insider source disclosed that only one of the refinery’s three units is currently operational, producing diesel, gas, and kerosene.
“For now, only one unit is working at the refinery. You know there are three units; but only one is in operation, producing diesel, gas, and kerosene,” the source explained.
The source further noted that the second unit, which can produce petrol, is yet to be activated, while the third and largest unit remains the most complex to restore.
“If all units are working, we can load over 100 trucks daily. Currently, about 50 trucks are being loaded,” the source said.
Meanwhile, industry experts stressed that additional efforts by the Federal Government and the NNPCL are required to achieve full-scale petrol production at the facility.
