Dangote Petroleum Refinery & Petrochemicals has increased its crude oil processing capacity to 700,000 barrels per day (bpd), exceeding its nameplate capacity of 650,000 bpd and reinforcing its position as the world’s largest single-train petroleum refinery.
The milestone was achieved during a performance test conducted by the refinery’s process licensors, highlighting the facility’s operational efficiency and ability to process additional feedstock while optimising output across its production units.
Vice President, Oil and Gas, Dangote Industries Limited, Devakumar Edwin, said the increase forms part of a broader expansion strategy aimed at raising the refinery’s capacity to 1.4 million bpd within the next 30 months.
According to him, the planned expansion is expected to strengthen Nigeria’s energy security, eliminate dependence on imported refined petroleum products and position the country as a major regional export hub.
Edwin noted that the refinery’s growth trajectory reflects ambitions that extend beyond meeting domestic demand, with a focus on establishing continental and global refining leadership.
Owned by industrialist Aliko Dangote, the refinery commenced fuel production in 2024 and has steadily increased output of petrol, diesel, aviation fuel and other refined products.
The facility has become a major supplier to domestic and international markets, exporting refined petroleum products to several African countries as well as European destinations including the United Kingdom, France, Spain, Italy and the Netherlands.
The refinery has also supplied gasoline to the United States and jet fuel to Saudi Arabia, further expanding its global footprint.
Dangote Refinery’s growing output has strengthened its role in stabilising fuel supply across Africa, particularly amid disruptions linked to geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Industry observers say the facility has increasingly become a key source of energy security for several African nations.
In another major milestone, Dangote Petroleum Refinery emerged as the world’s largest exporter of jet fuel in April, according to S&P Global Commodities.
The refinery has also contributed to reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported fuel, easing pressure on foreign exchange reserves and supporting broader efforts to maximise value from the country’s crude oil resources.
Growing production levels have attracted interest from global crude suppliers and commodity trading firms, with the refinery sourcing feedstock from both domestic and international producers to sustain rising output.
Looking ahead, Dangote has outlined plans to transform the facility into the world’s largest refinery by 2028, with a targeted processing capacity of 1.4 million barrels per day.
The expansion is expected to generate significant economic benefits through increased industrial activity, job creation, export earnings and improved trade balances.
Beyond fuels, the refinery is also expected to strengthen downstream manufacturing through the supply of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), polypropylene and other industrial feedstocks used in the production of packaging materials, consumer goods and detergents. Future plans also include the production of Linear Alkylbenzene (LAB), a key raw material in detergent manufacturing.
Staff Reporter
