On September 5, 2024, the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) announced that Waltersmith Refining and Petrochemical Company Limited has been granted an additional licence to produce 5,000 barrels per day (bpd) at its modular refinery in Ibigwe, Imo State.
The licence, granted for the second phase of the plant’s development, will support Waltersmith’s goal of expanding its current 5,000 bpd capacity to 10,000 bpd, with a future target of 40,000 bpd. The refinery is scheduled to be commissioned by the third quarter of 2025.
NMDPRA Chief Executive Farouk Ahmed highlighted that the expansion will allow Waltersmith to double its production capacity. Muhammad Musa, Managing Director of Waltersmith, expressed gratitude for the support and emphasized the company’s commitment to contributing to Nigeria’s energy sector.
In a related development, the federal government has inaugurated a Technical Working Group (TWG) to oversee the National Gas Expansion Programme (NGEP). The initiative aims to promote gas-based economic development and job creation across local communities. The TWG will focus on vocational skills development, training in gas value chains, and the provision of starter packs for aspiring entrepreneurs in the gas sector.
The TWG’s terms of reference include designing energy audit templates, selecting local government areas for project implementation, and identifying suitable workshops and business incubation centers.
