Experts have raised serious concerns about the operational integrity of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL), specifically questioning the company's transparency, efficiency, and management of Nigeria’s refineries. This follows revelations that the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC) has remained shut since January 25, 2025, due to critical safety issues involving its Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) Main Heater.
A report from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) showed that despite an investment of $897.6 million for maintenance, the Warri refinery failed to produce Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) and was forced to shut down only weeks after it was declared operational by former NNPC Group CEO, Mele Kyari.
Industry stakeholders have described the situation as disheartening, especially with further findings revealing that the Port Harcourt Refining Company (PHRC), which resumed operations in November 2024, is operating at below 40% capacity.
Background and Developments
The 125,000 barrels per day (bpd) Warri refinery, located in Ekpan, Uwvie, and Ubeji areas of Warri, had been dormant for decades before its reported revitalization on December 30, 2024. Commissioned in 1978, the WRPC was originally designed to cater to the southern and southwestern Nigerian markets and boasts an annual production capacity of 13,000 metric tonnes of polypropylene and 18,000 metric tonnes of carbon black.
President Bola Tinubu had praised the NNPCL for the supposed refurbishment of the facility, with Kyari assuring Nigerians that the revitalization was real, albeit incomplete. However, the NMDPRA's latest document paints a different picture, showing that the refinery has been completely inactive since late January due to safety issues.
At the time of its restart, the Warri refinery was producing Straight Run Kerosene, Automotive Gas Oil (diesel), and heavy and light Naphtha, reportedly at 60% capacity.
Operational Challenges at Port Harcourt Refinery
Meanwhile, the Port Harcourt refinery, designed for 60,000 bpd, has been running at just 37.87% capacity despite heavy investments and official statements suggesting otherwise.
- Monthly average production between November 2024 and April 2025 was about 82.55 million litres, compared to an expected 218 million litres — a shortfall of 135.45 million litres.
- Production breakdown:
- November: 9.51 million litres (24.92% utilisation)
- December: 108 million litres (38.01% utilisation)
- January: 120.91 million litres (42.2% utilisation)
- February: 111.81 million litres (39.1% utilisation)
- March: 100.03 million litres (35% utilisation)
- April (first 13 days): 44.24 million litres (35.7% utilisation)
Contrary to NNPCL spokesperson Femi Soneye’s claims that the refinery was running at 70% and was expected to ramp up to 90%, data indicates a maximum of 42.23% capacity achieved at any point.
Product Specific Analysis
The Port Harcourt refinery’s production of PMS (petrol) components, diesel, and kerosene showed significant inconsistencies:
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PMS output:
- November: 4.38 million litres
- December: 40.32 million litres
- January: 41.76 million litres
- February: 39.34 million litres
- March: 34.21 million litres
- April (half month): 15.22 million litres
-
Diesel (AGO) output:
- November: 3.49 million litres
- December: 40.72 million litres
- January: 55.10 million litres
- February: 47.33 million litres
- March: 45.38 million litres
- April (half month): 18.96 million litres
-
Kerosene (HKK) output:
- November: 1.64 million litres
- December: 27.75 million litres
- February: 24.05 million litres
- March: 25.14 million litres
- April: 10.06 million litres
Production fluctuated significantly, with an alarming trend of declining petrol (PMS) output and relatively better diesel production. In March and April, no PMS was evacuated at all, while diesel production surged to daily averages of 865,110 litres in March and 968,460 litres in April (first half).
Warri Refinery Status
The Warri refinery produced minimal quantities before its shutdown:
- December 2024: 1.96 million litres of AGO and 2.84 million litres of HKK
- January 2025: 10 million litres of AGO and 12 million litres of HKK
Since January 25, 2025, the facility has been inactive, confirming it has been shut down for over four months.
NNPCL’s Response
When contacted, the NNPCL spokesperson refused to comment directly. However, in a February statement, Soneye attributed the shutdown at WRPC to “routine maintenance” for select equipment. He emphasized there was no explosion at the facility and that interventions were necessary to ensure sustainable operations.
According to him, the operations were “intentionally curtailed” to carry out “necessary intervention works” on field instruments affecting sustainable production, and that operations would resume “within a few days” — a claim now clearly unfulfilled.
Conclusion
Despite substantial investments and bold declarations of success, the reality of Nigeria’s refinery operations — especially at Warri and Port Harcourt — remains grim. Industry experts argue that without significant changes to the management structure, operational practices, and accountability within the NNPCL, achieving energy sufficiency or boosting Nigeria’s export capacity as envisioned under President Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda will remain an uphill task.
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