Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company

The Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company Limited (WRPC) is situated in Warri, within Delta State, Nigeria, and began operations in 1978. This facility is a sophisticated conversion refinery, with a distillation capacity of 6,250,000 metric tons annually (equivalent to 125,000 barrels per day).^[1][2] In addition to the refinery, the complex features a petrochemical plant that was established in 1988, with production capabilities of 13,000 metric tons per year for polypropylene and 18,000 metric tons per year for carbon black. The refinery primarily serves the markets in Nigeria's southern and southwestern regions.^[3][4][5]

The Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) is situated within the Ubeji community of Warri South Local Government Area (LGA) and the Ekpan community of Uvwie LGA, in Delta State, Nigeria. The facility's geographical coordinates are 5°32′N latitude and 5°41′E longitude.^[6]

The refinery is bounded to the north by the Nigeria Gas Company (NGC), a major natural gas processing and transmission company.^[7]

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The company operates several fuel and petrochemical facilities, which include:

• NHU – Naphtha Hydrotreater Unit
• KHU – Kerosene Hydrotreating Unit
• FCC – Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit
• HF Alkylation Unit
• Polypropylene Production Unit
• Carbon Black Production Unit^{[8][failed verification][9][failed verification]}

The refinery is equipped with all necessary utilities for its operations, featuring the following installed capacities:

• A total electric power generation capacity of 125 MW - the power plant is capable of producing high-pressure steam at a rate of 545 T/Hr, utilizing three boilers, two heat recovery units, and a CO boiler within the FCC unit;
• A nitrogen plant with a capacity of 1,600 NM³/Hr is available, along with a compressed air system.
• A potable water treatment facility.
• A wastewater treatment plant.
• A crude oil storage capacity of 273,600 M³, which is adequate for approximately 14 days of operation.
• A jetty, equipped for the import and export of fuel oil, diesel, and PMS, as well as for ethylene import and storage.
• A modern railroad system is in place for efficient product evacuation.^[10][11]

The refinery is designed with a processing capacity of 125,000 barrels per day (B/D). Despite this significant capacity, the facility has historically struggled to achieve full capacity. Production levels have experienced a consistent decline over the years, with the exception of a brief period in the early 1990s, during which production saw a temporary increase.^[12][13][14]

Several key factors contribute to the refinery's inefficient operations. Among the proposed solutions is the refurbishment of the existing utilities within the plant.^[15][16][17]

Recently, a turnaround maintenance initiative was completed, which is anticipated to significantly improve the refinery's overall performance. This maintenance is expected to enhance both throughput volume and product yield, positioning the refinery for better operational efficiency in the future.^[18][19][20]

The Warri refinery is hosted by four Itsekiri communities: Aja-Etan, Ubeji, Ifie-Kporo, and Ijalla-Ikenren, all located in the Warri South Local Government Area (LGA). Additionally, it is also hosted by one Urhobo community, the Ekpan community, which is part of the Uvwie LGA.^[21][22]

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