Barely a month after resuming operations, the Warri Refinery has been temporarily shut down for routine maintenance, according to the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL). The company also debunked rumours of an explosion, calling them completely false.
Why Was the Refinery Shut Down?
NNPCL’s Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, explained that the refinery was deliberately shut down on 25th January 2025 to allow engineers to carry out critical maintenance on some equipment.
“The goal is to make sure the refinery continues to produce quality fuel products like diesel and kerosene without interruptions,” he said.
According to NNPCL, the refinery will be back up and running in a few days once the work is completed.
No Fuel Scarcity – Diesel Still Loading from Warri
Despite the temporary shutdown, NNPCL assured Nigerians that fuel supply remains steady. In fact, an average of eight trucks of diesel (AGO) are still being loaded daily from the refinery, ensuring there’s no major disruption.
Nigeria’s Refineries Gradually Coming Back to Life
The Warri Refinery restarted operations in late 2024, shortly after the Port Harcourt Refinery resumed 60,000 barrels per day production in November 2024.
These developments come as part of a $1.5 billion refinery rehabilitation project approved by the Federal Executive Council in August 2021 to revive Nigeria’s refining industry.
The Warri Refinery plays a key role in supplying locally refined fuel to Nigerians, reducing the country’s heavy reliance on imports.
Marketers Now Loading Fuel from Warri and Port Harcourt Refineries
In a promising sign, the Petroleum Products Retail Outlet Owners Association of Nigeria (PETROAN) confirmed that its members are now loading fuel directly from both the Warri and Port Harcourt refineries.
This is a step in the right direction, as it means more locally refined fuel is becoming available, which could help stabilise pump prices in the coming months.
NNPCL Calls for Patience
NNPCL has urged Nigerians to remain calm, assuring that the Warri Refinery will resume operations soon and continue supplying fuel to the market.
With refineries gradually coming back to life, Nigerians are hopeful that better fuel availability and potentially lower prices are on the horizon.
