The Dangote Petroleum Refinery, with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, has announced its readiness to commence the production of refined petroleum products after receiving the final batch of one million barrels of crude oil required for its initial operations. The $20 billion refinery revealed its progress in a statement issued on Monday.
The latest delivery of one million barrels via MT ALMI SUN marks the completion of the scheduled six million barrels consignment needed to kickstart operations at the world’s largest single-train refinery. The crude oil deliveries have been received in batches, with the 6th batch of one million barrels of Agbami crude being discharged at the Single Point Mooring at the Dangote Offshore Oil Terminal on Monday.
A month ago, the refinery received its first one million barrels of Agbami crude grade from Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited. The Managing Director of Dangote Ports Operations, Akin Omole, stated earlier that the refinery would be ready to commence operations once the full consignment of six million barrels was delivered.
According to Omole, “Once the six million barrels are fully delivered, it will facilitate the initial run of the refinery as well as kickstart the production of diesel, aviation fuel, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas before subsequently progressing to the production of Premium Motor Spirit.”
The operationalization of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery is anticipated to play a crucial role in addressing fuel supply challenges not only in Nigeria but also in West African countries. The refinery, if fully operational, has the potential to meet 100% of Nigeria’s refined product requirements, including gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and aviation jet fuel. Additionally, the surplus production can be exported.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, in his New Year broadcast, hinted that both the Port-Harcourt and Dangote refineries are expected to kickstart operations in January 2024, marking a significant milestone in the country’s energy sector.
