Dangote Refinery begins production of diesel, aviation fuel

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has finally commenced production of diesel and aviation fuel.

It was gathered that the largest single-train refinery in the world began production in the early hours of Friday.

The development comes days after the refinery received its sixth one million barrels of crude cargo required for the commencement of operations.

In a statement further confirming the start of production, Aliko Dangote, president of Dangote Group, thanked President Bola Ahmed Tinubu “for his support, encouragement, and thoughtful advice towards the actualisation of this project”.

The billionaire also thanked the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC ) Limited, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), and Nigerians for their support and belief in the historic project.

He also said the products would hit the market within the month after all regulatory approvals are received.

“We thank President Bola Tinubu for his support and for making our dream come true. This production, as witnessed today, would not have been possible without his visionary leadership and prompt attention to details,” Dangote was quoted as saying.

“His intervention at various stages cleared all impediments thereby accelerating the actualisation of the project. We also thank the NNPC, NUPRC and NMDPRA for their support. These organisations have been our dependable partners in this historic journey.

“We also thank Nigerians for their belief and support in this project. We have started the production of diesel and aviation fuel, and the products will be in the market within this month once we receive regulatory approvals.”

“This is a big day for Nigeria. We are delighted to have reached this significant milestone. This is an important achievement for our country as it demonstrates our ability to develop and deliver large capital projects. This is a game changer for our country, and I am very fulfilled with the actualisation of this project.”

Five shipments of crude had earlier been delivered by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited to the refinery.

On December 8, 2023, the Dangote plant received its maiden one million barrels of Agbami crude grade from Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited (STASCO).

The refinery, on December 20, 2023, received the second phase of its crude feedstock from the NNPC, with the third shipment of one million barrels of crude oil feedstock from STASCO received on December 29, 2023.

The NNPC also supplied the refinery with its fourth and fifth crude shipment respectively on January 1 and 5, 2024.

Akin Omole, managing director of Dangote Ports Operations, had told journalists at the Dangote quay in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, that the receipt of six million barrels of crude would “facilitate the initial run of the refinery as well as kick-start the production of diesel, aviation fuel, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) before subsequently progressing to the production of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS)”.

The 650,000 bpd capacity refinery was inaugurated by former President Muhammadu Buhari in May 2023.

According to the statement, the refinery can load 2,900 trucks a day at its truck-loading gantries, and its products will conform to Euro V specifications.

Aliko Dangote had said the refinery has secured a license to refine more than 300,000 barrels of crude per day.

Meanwhile, the NNPC, had in August 2021, acquired a 20 percent minority equity stake in the refinery.