Warri Refinery Resumes Operations After Nearly a Decade

Nigeria's Warri Refinery has officially resumed operations after nearly a decade of inactivity, marking a significant milestone in the country's efforts to revitalize its oil refining sector. The facility, which has a capacity of 125,000 barrels per day (bpd), is currently operating at 60% capacity, as confirmed by Mele Kyari, head of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL). “This plant is running, but we have not completed 100%,” Kyari stated during a recent tour of the refinery with government officials and journalists.

President Bola Tinubu hailed the reopening as a "remarkable achievement" that reinforces confidence in his administration. He emphasized that the restart of the Warri refinery, along with the recently revived Port Harcourt refinery, is part of a broader strategy to restore Nigeria's refining capabilities. “The restart of the Warri Refinery brings joy and hope to Nigerians,” Tinubu remarked, highlighting its importance in reducing fuel imports and enhancing energy security.

The Warri refinery had been shut down since 2015 due to disrepair and a lack of crude oil supply. Its revival is part of Nigeria's commitment to improving its refining infrastructure, which has suffered from years of neglect and mismanagement. The government aims to restore all four state-owned refineries, which collectively have a capacity of 445,000 bpd.

The facility will initially focus on producing diesel, kerosene, and naphtha. With ongoing rehabilitation efforts costing approximately $898 million, the government is optimistic about achieving full operational capacity soon. “We are on track to increase local refining capacity and establish Nigeria as a hub for downstream industrial activities in Africa,” said Tinubu. 

As Nigeria moves forward with these initiatives, the revival of its refineries represents not only an economic opportunity but also a step towards greater energy independence for Africa's largest oil producer.