The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited says it has revived the Warri Refinery with the re-streaming of the plant’s crude distillation unit.
It said the re-streaming of the CDU on Monday marked the beginning of the gradual start-up of the refinery following its successful rehabilitation.
The national oil company said it delivered on its promise to revive the Warri Refinery by the end of 2024.
Speaking at a tour of the Warri Refinery Complex in Ekpan, Delta, Chu Efifia, the managing director of the Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company, stated that the CDU was successfully re-streamed.
Mr Effia said the plant had commenced the production of petroleum products such as diesel, household kerosene, naphtha, and low-pour fuel oil.
Giving further details about the production status of the refinery, the managing director said the plant was currently processing 75,000 barrels per day, translating to 60 per cent of installed capacity.
He added that 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. He added that petrol production will follow in the days ahead as other refinery units come on stream.
Highlighting its significance, NNPC boss Mele Kyari said it was the beginning of Nigeria’s journey to becoming a net producer and exporter of refined petroleum products.
The chairman of the board of directors of NNPC, Pius Akinyelure, also expressed satisfaction with the development, adding that soon Nigeria would exit petroleum products importation and become a net exporter.
Farouk Ahmed, chief executive officer of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, said with the coming on stream of more refineries, there would be more competition in the market.
He said that this would in turn force down the pump price of petroleum products to the benefit of Nigerians.
The 125,000 bpd capacity Warri Refinery was commissioned in 1978.
It was shut down for rehabilitation in 2021 with Daewoo Engineering as the EPC contractor.
(NAN)
