The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has achieved a major operational milestone after successfully ramping up its crude processing facilities to their full nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, a feat described as unprecedented in global refining operations.
The company confirmed that its Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) and Motor Spirit (MS) Block are now running steadily at optimal performance following the completion of a scheduled maintenance exercise.
The development places the Lagos-based refinery in a strong position to significantly boost the supply of refined petroleum products to Nigeria’s domestic market.
According to the refinery, the post-maintenance phase included a rigorous 72-hour performance test conducted in collaboration with its technology licensor, UOP. The test was designed to verify operational efficiency and ensure that all critical parameters meet international standards.
Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Refinery, David Bird, said the achievement reflects the strength of the facility’s engineering design and the technical expertise of its operations team. He noted that the successful stabilisation of the CDU and MS Block demonstrates the refinery’s reliability and long-term capacity to deliver high-quality refined products.
Bird explained that the CDU and MS Block, which house key units such as the naphtha hydrotreater, isomerisation unit and reformer unit, are now operating consistently at the full 650,000 barrels per day capacity. He added that other processing units within the refinery are expected to undergo their own performance test runs during the second phase, scheduled to begin next week.
The refinery also disclosed that during the recent festive period, it supplied between 45 million and 50 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) daily. With the full restoration and optimisation of its core units, Dangote Refinery said it is now capable of supplying up to 75 million litres of petrol per day to meet local demand when required.
Industry analysts say the milestone strengthens Nigeria’s push towards energy self-sufficiency by reducing reliance on imported refined products.
It also supports the country’s broader goal of becoming a net exporter of petroleum products, with potential positive implications for foreign exchange earnings and fuel supply stability.
The Dangote Refinery reiterated its commitment to supporting Nigeria’s energy sector transformation, noting that the latest achievement marks an important step in reshaping the nation’s downstream oil and gas landscape.
