Waltersmith Doubles Refining Capacity, Unveils Bigger Industrial Expansion Plans
Nigeria’s push for energy security is gaining fresh momentum as indigenous players continue to expand local refining capacity, reducing dependence on imported petroleum products and strengthening regional supply chains.
This was evident as Waltersmith Refining and Petrochemical Company showcased its newly expanded modular refinery in Ohaji-Egbema, Imo State, to the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board (NCDMB) and the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The visit, led by the NCDMB Executive Secretary, Engr. Felix Omatsola Ogbe, represented by Director of Legal Services, Dr Naboth Onyesoh, alongside NMDPRA Authority Chief Executive, Mr Saidu Mohammed, focused on inspecting the refinery’s completed expansion from 5,000 barrels per day to 10,000 barrels per day.
The upgraded facility is now fully operational, producing diesel (AGO), household kerosene (HHK), heavy fuel oil (HFO), and naphtha.
Since its first phase was commissioned in November 2020, the refinery has supplied over 1.1 billion litres of refined products to local and regional markets, serving the South-East and South-South regions largely while HFO reaches the wider West African sub-region.
Speaking during the visit, Dr Onyesoh described Waltersmith as a shining example of local content implementation, citing its impact on job creation, industrialisation, import substitution, and value addition to Nigeria’s crude oil and gas resources.
Chairman of Waltersmith Petroman, Mr Abdulrazak Isa, also revealed plans for the company’s next phase of growth, including the construction of a 30,000 barrels-per-day condensate refinery and an industrial park designed to host gas-based industries.
He disclosed that the company also plans to develop a gas pipeline capable of delivering 100 million standard cubic feet of gas daily, alongside embedded captive power to attract industries to the industrial park.
A statement signed by the General Manager Corporate Communications, Dr Obinna Ezeobi, said partnership agreements for the condensate refinery are expected to be concluded by the fourth quarter of 2026.
Reacting, NMDPRA boss Saidu Mohammed praised the project’s success, describing Waltersmith as “an octopus in the midstream sector” and urging the company to fast-track the condensate refinery project.
He added that the midstream petroleum sector remains critical to Nigeria’s economic development and pledged the agency’s support for the company’s expansion plans.
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