A team of Chinese engineers has commenced a comprehensive technical assessment of the Warri Refining and Petrochemicals Company (WRPC), marking the first step in the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited's (NNPCL) latest effort to restore the state-owned refinery to sustainable commercial operations.
NNPCL said the inspection is being conducted by 35 engineers from Sanjiang Chemicals and New Future Group, whose findings will guide a final investment decision on the proposed rehabilitation and long-term operation of the facility.
According to the company, the exercise forms part of a new business strategy aimed at returning the refinery to profitability after years of operational challenges, with a stronger emphasis on petrochemical production alongside conventional refining activities.
NNPCL Group Chief Executive Officer, Bayo Ojulari, said the assessment would determine the scope of work required to reposition the refinery and establish a commercially sustainable operating model.
He explained that, if approved, the partnership would see the Chinese firms finance, modernise and operate the refinery, with the goal of bringing it back into stable operation within approximately 24 months.
Ojulari also dismissed renewed calls for the Warri refinery to be disposed of as scrap following its shutdown after briefly resuming operations last year, insisting the facility remains a strategic national asset with significant economic value.
He said the interest shown by the Chinese companies reinforces NNPCL's position that the refinery retains commercial potential and should be rehabilitated rather than written off.
According to the national oil company, Sanjiang Chemicals, a major Chinese petrochemical company, and New Future Group, an investment firm with interests across Africa, are expected to provide the technical expertise, operational capability and investment required to execute the project if it progresses beyond the current evaluation stage.
Responding to concerns over the involvement of foreign partners, NNPCL said the proposed arrangement is intended to strengthen operational efficiency while ensuring the refinery remains under Nigerian ownership as a strategic national asset.
The company also rejected reports alleging that refinery equipment was being disposed of as scrap, maintaining that it has not authorised the sale of refinery components and that all assets remain part of the planned rehabilitation programme.
NNPCL said the ongoing technical review reflects its commitment to adopting a different operational approach for the Warri refinery after previous rehabilitation efforts failed to deliver lasting commercial performance.
The latest initiative is expected to support the company's broader objective of increasing domestic refining capacity, expanding petrochemical production and reducing Nigeria's dependence on imported refined petroleum products.
Also present during the engagement were Dangote Industries Group Executive Director (Commercial, Oil and Gas), Fatima Dangote; Adviser to the President of the Republic of the Congo, Peggy Ndongo; and advisers to the SNPC Managing Director, Aymar Ebiou and Norbert Mabiala.