After optimizing essential processing units, Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest refinery, has attained its full capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. This marks a turning point for the facility, which is located in Lagos.
Operating at full capacity, the $20 billion facility has achieved a world record for a single-train refinery.
The refinery’s Motor Spirit production block and Crude Distillation Unit underwent rigorous performance testing, which culminated in this accomplishment.
The refinery is now ready to provide the domestic market with up to 75 million liters of gasoline per day, according to Mr. David Bird, chief executive officer of Dangote Refinery. This is a significant increase from the 45 million to 50 million liters delivered during the recent festival period.
Nigeria has relied heavily on imported refined products for a long time, but this development has the potential to change that.
In stabilizing the CDU and MS Block, “our teams have demonstrated exceptional precision and expertise,” Mr. Bird stated. “The reliability, strength, and engineering quality that define our operations are highlighted by this milestone.”
Working with Honeywell’s technology licensor UOP, the refinery ran a battery of performance tests for 72 hours to ensure all key parameters matched international requirements and to certify operating efficiency.
The facility’s gasoline production capability is supported by the naphtha hydrotreater, isomerization unit, and reformer unit; these units were tested extensively.
The billionaire, who also happens to own the majority share in the facility, has set his sights on turning Nigeria into a refining powerhouse, and this milestone is just the latest step toward his goal.
There have been several setbacks since the facility’s commencement in 2016, including as delays caused by the epidemic, difficulties with foreign exchange, and technological difficulties.
After years of chronic underperformance by Nigeria’s state-owned refineries, it was ultimately commissioned in May 2023 to aid in the country’s transition away from imported petroleum products.
The country has four state-owned refineries that can process 445,000 barrels of oil per day, but it still can’t produce enough to meet its own needs, even though it’s the biggest crude producer in Africa. The result has been an excessive reliance on imports for many years.
When operational, the Dangote refinery could turn Nigeria into a net exporter to West African markets, thereby ending the country’s need on imports.
The refinery still has to import feedstock from places like the United States, Brazil, and Angola since it has a hard time getting enough crude oil from producers in Nigeria.
According to Mr. Bird, the remaining processing units are set to begin Phase 2 performance test runs next week, which indicates that there will be additional optimization of capacity ahead.
“Enhancing Nigeria’s energy security while supporting industrial development, job creation, and economic diversification.” the official emphasized, highlighting the refinery’s efforts in this regard.
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