Dangote Refinery, in collaboration with Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited (STASCO), recently welcomed its latest one-million-barrel crude oil cargo on Wednesday, marking a significant stride towards fortifying Nigeria’s energy refining capabilities and security.
With the third million-barrel delivery now safely secured at the facility’s Single-Point Mooring, anticipation grows as the fourth shipment of crude oil is already en route. Poised to commence operations at 350,000 barrels per day, the company has set a target production date for diesel and aviation fuel by mid-January 2024, followed by Premium Motor Spirit production.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery boasts the capability to fulfill 100% of Nigeria’s refined product requirements, including gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and aviation jet fuel. Furthermore, the facility anticipates generating a surplus of each product for potential export, enhancing the nation’s economic footprint.
In a recent development, the $20 billion refinery received its inaugural 950,000-barrel cargo earlier this month, signifying the initiation of crude supplies. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC), holding a 20% stake in the refinery, played a pivotal role by chartering a tanker to symbolize the first crude supply, aligning with the goal of kickstarting operations.
Underlining its commitment to national energy independence, the NNPC entered into an agreement to supply 6 million barrels of crude oil as feedstock to the Dangote refinery, aiming to accelerate its operational launch.
Aliko Dangote, the visionary behind the refinery, has articulated a bold vision, affirming that the Dangote Refinery will achieve a refining capacity of 650,000 barrels per day by the end of 2024. Emphasizing a commitment to Nigeria, he reiterated that the refinery’s primary focus is on supplying petrol domestically before considering exports to the broader West African region.
As the Dangote Refinery continues to make strides in its journey towards operational excellence, its contributions to Nigeria’s energy landscape hold promise for a transformative impact on the nation’s economic and energy security.
