The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) has debunked rumors of an explosion at the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC), labeling them as false.
In a statement released on Friday by Olufemi Soneye, NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, the company clarified that the refinery’s operations at Area 1 were intentionally paused on January 25, 2025. The temporary halt was to facilitate necessary intervention work on select equipment, including critical field instruments that impact sustainable and steady operations.
NNPCL Calls Shutdown Routine Maintenance, Not an Emergency
NNPCL reassured the public that the temporary shutdown was a routine maintenance procedure, not an emergency response to any crisis. The company emphasized that these efforts are crucial for ensuring the continued production of high-quality refined products, particularly automotive gas oil (AGO) and kerosene.
“Contrary to circulating reports, no explosion occurred at the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company. On January 25, 2025, operations at WRPC Area 1 were intentionally curtailed to perform vital intervention works on specific equipment impacting operations,” the statement read.
Operations to Resume in a Few Days
The National Oil Company also confirmed that the maintenance is progressing as planned, with Area 1 expected to resume full operation in the coming days. Importantly, despite the ongoing work, AGO loading has remained steady, averaging eight trucks per day, ensuring a continuous supply to sustain distribution.
Bottom Line
The NNPCL debunked rumors of an explosion at the Warri Refinery, clarifying that the temporary operational pause was a planned maintenance activity. The company remains committed to ensuring an uninterrupted fuel supply and has assured stakeholders that normal operations will resume soon.
