Dangote Refinery is inching closer to commencing full-scale production of refined petroleum products, as it receives the sixth and final batch of one million barrels of Agbami crude supplied by the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation Limited (NNPCL).
This marks the completion of the initial scheduled 6 million barrels consignment aimed at kickstarting operations at the world’s largest single-train refinery.
The latest shipment, delivered via MT ALMI SUN, follows the receipt of the first one million barrels of Agbami crude exactly one month ago from Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited (STASCO), a major global trading entity.
Since then, Dangote Refinery has been receiving crude oil in successive batches.
The sixth batch, which arrived at the Single Point Mooring (SPM-C2) at the Dangote Offshore Oil Terminal (DOOT), is a crucial step toward initiating the refinery’s operations.
Akin Omole, the Managing Director of Dangote Ports Operations, emphasized that the refinery will be well-positioned to commence operations once the entire 6 million barrels of crude have been delivered.
According to Omole, “Once the 6 million barrels are fully delivered, it will 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 development holds significant promise for Nigeria and West African countries grappling with fuel supply challenges.
Designed to process 650,000 barrels per day of 100% Nigerian crude, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery exhibits flexibility to handle various African crude grades, Middle Eastern Arab Light, US Light tight oil, and crudes from other regions.
The refinery is poised to meet 100% of Nigeria’s refined product requirements, including gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and aviation jet fuel, with surplus quantities available for export.