The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited has announced plans to engage reputable and credible Operations and Maintenance companies to manage and maintain the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company and the Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company.
Details of the Refineries
- Warri Refinery
- Location: Warri, Delta State
- Commissioned: 1978
- Capacity: 125,000 barrels per day (6,250,000 MTA)
- Petrochemical Plant: Commissioned in 1988 with capacities of 13,000 MTA for polypropylene and 18,000 MTA for carbon black.
- Current Status: Despite its intended role to supply fuel to markets in Nigeria’s south and southwest regions, the refinery has not been operational and has struggled with successive efforts to make it functional.
- Kaduna Refinery
- Location: Kaduna, Northern Nigeria
- Commissioned: 1980
- Initial Capacity: 50,000 barrels per day
- Capacity Expansion: Expanded to 100,000 barrels per day in 1983, with further capacity increase to 110,000 barrels per day by 1986.
- Current Status: The refinery has also faced operational challenges and has not been in operation in recent years.
Strategic Move
The move to involve private firms for operations and maintenance is part of NNPC’s strategy to revitalize these refineries, which have faced long-standing operational readiness and efficiency issues. Engaging experienced private sector partners is expected to bring operational expertise and improve the performance and output of these facilities.
This initiative aligns with broader efforts to enhance Nigeria’s refining capacity and ensure a more reliable domestic supply of petroleum products.