Victor EzejaThe Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has revealed that it is on track to complete mechanical phase rehabilitation of the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) in the first quarter of 2024.
NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, made this known while responding to inquiries about rehabilitation of the Warri refinery.
While the Port Harcourt Refining Company saw mechanical completion celebrated in December 2023, the Warri refinery’s rehabilitation progress had been confirmed by Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Heineken Lokpobiri.
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He emphasized the magnitude of the rehabilitation efforts, comparing them to the ongoing work at the Dangote refinery commissioned by the Buhari administration.
Lokpobiri expressed optimism about the facilities soon becoming operational, highlighting their significance for the country’s economic survival.
Soneye provided insights into the status of the Port Harcourt Refinery, stating that it is undergoing finishing touches. He outlined the remaining steps, including industry-based testing focusing on leaks, air, line blowing, flushing, drying, steam out, calibration, plant inerting, and hydrocarbon introduction.
While sharing optimism about the refinery’s efficiency, he stressed the importance of adhering to global best practices.
Despite the announcement of the Port Harcourt Refinery’s mechanical completion on December 21, 2023, and the anticipation of refining 60,000 barrels of crude oil after the Christmas break, actual production is yet to commence. The delays underscore the intricate processes involved in refinery rehabilitation and the challenges of meeting ambitious timelines in such complex projects.
As Nigeria navigates this crucial phase of refinery revival, eyes are now on the Warri refinery’s upcoming completion, which holds the promise of contributing significantly to the nation’s petroleum production and economic stability.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
