Warri, Nigeria – February 8, 2025– The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has dismissed reports of an explosion at the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC), calling them false and misleading.
In a statement released on Friday night, NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, clarified that the refinery was undergoing routine maintenance and assured the public that operations remained stable.
According to Soneye, on January 25, 2025, operations at WRPC’s Area 1 were deliberately paused to carry out essential intervention work on certain equipment. These maintenance activities were necessary to ensure the steady production of refined petroleum products, particularly Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Kerosene.
“The routine maintenance is progressing as planned, and Area 1 will be back in operation within the next few days,” Soneye stated. “Despite the ongoing work, AGO loading has continued at an average of eight trucks per day, ensuring a steady supply of petroleum products.”
NNPCL reassured stakeholders of its commitment to uninterrupted fuel supply and urged the public to disregard false reports about an explosion at the refinery.
The Warri refinery, which had been inactive for several years, was officially restarted on December 30, 2024, after undergoing a refurbishment by NNPCL. The 125,000-barrel-per-day facility initially resumed operations at 60% capacity, with President Bola Tinubu hailing its revival as a major step toward Nigeria’s goal of becoming a petroleum refining hub.
President Tinubu emphasized that bringing the refinery back online aligns with his administration’s commitment to restoring all four government-owned refineries to full capacity. “This development strengthens Nigerians’ confidence in a future of energy security and economic growth,” he stated.
Nigeria is positioning itself as a key player in the West African refining sector, with the 650,000-barrel-per-day Dangote Refinery and a growing number of private refineries complementing state-owned facilities. However, securing sufficient crude oil for domestic refineries remains a challenge.
The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has warned oil producers against prioritizing exports over local supply, threatening to withhold export licenses from companies that fail to meet domestic refining obligations.
NNPCL remains focused on maintaining the smooth operation of the Warri refinery and ensuring a stable fuel supply. As Nigeria continues to strengthen its refining sector, the government and industry stakeholders must work together to address supply chain challenges and maximize the potential of local refineries.
