The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has strongly denied rumors that its petrol production unit faces a two-to-three-month closure, labeling the claims as unfounded.
Refinery Counters Shutdown Rumors
Anthony Chiejina, spokesperson for the Dangote Group, dismissed speculation that the 204,000 barrel-per-day (bpd) Residue Fluidised Catalytic Cracking Unit (RFCCU) has been offline since late August 2025 due to technical issues.
The rumors suggested a restart attempt on September 20, with potential major repairs delaying operations for months.
Chiejina rejected the claims, questioning their vague wording. “Baseless rumors. Why the uncertainty if they’re so sure?” he stated on Sunday.
Transforming Global Fuel Trade
Operational since January 2024, the 650,000 bpd refinery has significantly reduced petrol imports to West Africa, cutting Europe-to-Africa shipments from 200,000 bpd in 2024 to 120,000 bpd in the first half of 2025.
The refinery also achieved a milestone by exporting two gasoline shipments to the US East Coast, expected to reach New York this month, meeting strict US fuel standards.
Diversifying Crude Sources
Struggling to secure adequate local crude, the refinery has broadened its feedstock sources. In August 2025, it processed Ghana’s Sankofa crude, a heavier medium-sweet grade, for the first time.
July saw a peak of 570,000 bpd in crude deliveries, with 60% from US light sweet crude and 40% from Nigerian grades like Amenam, Bonny Light, and Escravos, reflecting domestic supply challenges and the affordability of US imports.
Operational Growth and Future Goals
The refinery is currently running at 68% capacity, processing around 445,000 bpd, up from 400,000 bpd earlier in 2025.
Plans are in place to reach 700,000 bpd by December 2025, though a slight reduction to 400,000 bpd is expected during scheduled maintenance in December–January.
The facility’s ability to handle varied crude grades, including heavier West African and US types, highlights its growing influence in global energy markets.
Meeting Nigeria’s Energy Needs
Nigeria’s Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, stressed the urgency of increasing domestic crude production to meet both local and global demand.
Dangote’s strategic shift to diverse crude sources demonstrates its resilience amid ongoing supply constraints.
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