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]

## Geography and location

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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]

## Primary plant facilities

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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]

## Supporting utilities

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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]

## Operational capacity and performance

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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]

## Host communities

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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]

## References

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1. ^ "Warri Refining & Petrochemicals Company Limited (WRPC) – Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE)". Retrieved 2025-01-05.
2. ^ "Rehabilitated Warri Refinery Begins Production | AIT LIVE". ait.live. 2024-12-30. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
3. ^ "NNPC Ltd Delivers on Refinery Revamp Promise: Warri Plant Resumes Operation with 125,000bpd Capacity in Warri, Delta State". NNPC. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
4. ^ "Warri Refinery: Marketers Anticipate Price Decrease As Production Resumes". 2024-12-31. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
5. ^ Izuaka, Mary (2024-12-30). "Warri Refinery begins operation, says NNPC". Premium Times Nigeria. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
6. ^ "Trucks of diesel, kerosene being moved out of WRPC - Inside Source". Freshangle News. 2024-12-30. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
7. ^ E, Amuho U.; A, Amoo I.; O, Ajayi O.; F, Aiyesanmi A. (2015-12-31). "Warri Refinery Operations and Its Effects on Ubeji Creek". International Journal of Innovative Research and Development. ISSN 2278-0211.
8. ^ TVCN (2024-12-30). "Warri Refineries Begins Partial Operations, Produces Diesel, Others - Trending News". Retrieved 2025-01-05.
9. ^ "UPDATED: Warri refinery resumes operation at 60% capacity".
10. ^ "JUST IN: Warri Refinery Resurrects". The Reflector Newspaper. 2024-12-30. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
11. ^ "Warri Refinery Resumes Operations: A New Chapter in Nigeria's Oil Industry - Nasenhost". 2024-12-30. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
12. ^ Ibrahim, Abubakar (2024-12-30). "Warri Refinery starts operations, runs at 60% capacity — Kyari". Businessday NG. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
13. ^ AriseNews (2024-12-31). "Warri Refinery Resumes Operations Amid NNPC's Drive for Domestic Fuel Production, Export Potential". Arise News. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
14. ^ "Nigeria Says Second Refinery Running After a $898 Million Revamp Warri refinery has daily capacity of 125,000 barrels of crude Southern refinery will focus on kerosene, diesel and naphtha".
15. ^ AriseNews (2024-12-31). "Warri Refinery Resumes Operations Amid NNPC's Drive for Domestic Fuel Production, Export Potential". Arise News. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
16. ^ Nigeria, Guardian (2015-08-16). "Warri, Port Harcourt: Coming Alive As Refineries Resume Operations". The Guardian Nigeria News - Nigeria and World News. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
17. ^ "NLC, NUPENG Commend FG NNPCL On Revival Of Warri Refinery | AIT LIVE". ait.live. 2024-12-31. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
18. ^ "Nigeria says its Warri Refinery is back after a decade of closures".
19. ^ Reporter, Agency (2025-01-03). "Warri refinery, Tinubu's new year gift to Nigerians – TMSG". The Nation Newspaper. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
20. ^ "Nigeria restarts Warri refinery operations after 10 years".
21. ^ Ogunyemi, Dele (2021-08-04). "Host communities urge NNPC to fix Warri Refinery". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 2025-01-05.
22. ^ "Warri Host Communities to NNPC: Reinstate our people or we shut-down your subsidiaries". Freshangle News. 2020-07-22. Retrieved 2025-01-05.

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