No Explosion At Warri Refinery, Routine Maintenance Ongoing — NNPCL

Contrary to reports, the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC) has clarified that there was no explosion incident at the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) in Delta State.

The NNPCL said on January 25, 2025, operations at WRPC Area 1 were intentionally curtailed to carry out necessary intervention works on select equipment, including field instruments that were impacting sustainable and steady operations.

The national oil company noted that despite ongoing interventions, over the past 11 days, AGO loading has been maintained at an average of eight trucks per day, with a sufficient supply available to sustain ongoing truck loadout operations.

The Warri Refinery recently resumed operations after a decade-long closure, marking a significant milestone for Nigeria’s oil industry. The refinery is currently operating at 60 per cent capacity, producing diesel and kerosene.

NNPCL has assured that all safety protocols were in place to prevent any major incidents.

“NNPC Ltd wishes to clarify that there was no explosion at the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC). Any reports suggesting otherwise are completely false.

“On January 25, 2025, operations at WRPC Area 1 were intentionally curtailed to carry out necessary intervention works on select equipment, including field instruments that were impacting sustainable and steady operations.

“These intervention works are essential to ensure the production of on specification finished and intermediate products, particularly Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and Kerosene (Kero).

“The routine maintenance is progressing as planned, and Area 1 will be back in operation within the next few days. Despite ongoing interventions, over the past 11 days, AGO loading has been maintained at an average of eight trucks per day, with a sufficient supply available to sustain ongoing truck load-out operations.

“NNPC Ltd remains committed to ensuring uninterrupted product supply and appreciates the patience and cooperation of all stakeholders as it completes these essential maintenance activities,” the oil company stated.