The Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited has debunked claims of an explosion at the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company, describing such reports as baseless and misleading.
According to the company, operations at Area 1 of the refinery were deliberately halted on January 25, 2025, to enable intervention works on select equipment, including field instruments that are crucial for maintaining stable and efficient operations.
In a statement issued on Friday by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, NNPCL explained that the ongoing maintenance is essential for the production of quality automotive gas oil and kerosene.
“NNPC Ltd wishes to clarify that there was no explosion at the Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company (WRPC). Any reports suggesting otherwise are completely false.
“On 25 January 2025, operations at WRPC Area 1 were intentionally curtailed to carry out necessary intervention works on select equipment, including field instruments impacting sustainable and steady operations.
“These intervention works are essential to ensure the production of on-specification finished and intermediate products, particularly automotive gas oil (AGO) and kerosene.
“The routine maintenance is progressing as planned, and Area 1 will be back in operation within the next few days.
“Despite ongoing interventions, over the past 11 days, AGO loading has been maintained at an average of eight trucks per day, with sufficient supply available to sustain ongoing truck load-out operations.
“NNPC Ltd remains committed to ensuring uninterrupted product supply and appreciates the patience and cooperation of all stakeholders as it completes these essential maintenance activities,” the statement read.
NNPCL reaffirmed its dedication to maintaining steady product supply and assured stakeholders that the maintenance work will be concluded soon.
