Warri refinery under pressure to commence production

(Agence Ecofin) - The management of Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company (WRPC) has been given a 90 days ultimatum by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), to commence full production at the facility.

The ultimatum which was given by the Group Managing Director of NNPC, Dr. Ibe Kachikwu at the end of a facility tour of the refinery and the adjoining Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, PPMC, Jetty and Depot in Warri, Delta State, ordered the management and staff of the company to ensure that the plant is brought back to operation within the projected period.

Dr. Kachikwu noted that he was ready to provide the management of the facility necessary support to enable them meet the target.

“So whatever you need to do to get your refinery back on track, please do it now because this is the time. It’s a 90 days fast-track programme and whatever you need me to do to make that happen, let me know,’’ the GMD assured.

He promised to end the era of the company relying heavily on private depots to store a bulk of its petroleum products.

Commenting on the ultimatum, the Acting Managing Director of WRPC, Engr. Solomon Ladenegan, told Sweetcrude that measures have been put in place to ensure that the plant is back in full operation by early November in good time for the three months advancement target.

The 37-year old refinery which has been undergoing phased rehabilitation exercise was shut last week due to some technical hitches in one of its units, nevertheless, having a 125,000 b/d of crude oil processing capacity.