Nigeria’s $20 billion Dangote Petroleum Refinery is now expected to reach full operational capacity in April, shifting from its previously announced target of March.
A source familiar with the matter told Argus that the 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) refinery plans to commission its alkylation unit, which will allow its crude distillation unit (CDU) to operate at maximum capacity “some time next month.”
Meanwhile, the refinery’s CDU capacity stands at 550,000 bpd, though vessel tracking data suggests current operations are below this figure.
The alkylation unit, responsible for producing high-octane alkylate used in gasoline blending, is the last of Dangote’s secondary units to come online.
Argus estimates the alkylation unit’s nameplate capacity at 27,000 bpd and expects other secondary units to reach maximum utilization once the alkylation unit becomes operational, boosting gasoline blending component production.
The Dangote Refinery initially requested 550,000 bpd of crude from Nigerian oil producers for the period of January to June 2025, but supply has so far fallen short.
Additionally, the naira-for-crude purchase agreement—originally set for six months and expiring this March—did not meet expectations, leaving the refinery with no better option than to resume crude imports.
In March, crude arrivals at the refinery declined to between 175,000 and 235,000 bpd, decreasing from 405,000 bpd in February, according to preliminary data from vessel trackers Kpler and Vortexa. Throughput peaked at 433,000 bpd in December 2024.
Recently, the refinery procured its first cargo of Equatorial Guinea’s medium sweet Ceiba crude.
It has also expanded its crude slate by securing supplies from Algeria and Brazil.
Since beginning operations in 2024, the refinery has been increasing its output, supplying Nigeria and international buyers with refined products and positioning Nigeria as a net exporter.
As the facility nears full operational capacity, it is expected to make a significant impact on both regional and global fuel markets.
Its ability to process a diverse range of crude sources as well as produce essential refined products for multiple industries cements its role as a major player in the global energy market
