Dangote Refinery Denies Claims of Exporting Off-Spec Diesel Amid Rising Quality Concerns
Dangote Refinery has firmly denied allegations that it exported off-specification diesel to European markets, following reports that buyers were rejecting shipments over quality issues. The clarification comes after an Argus Media publication suggested that European and Nigerian market sources had flagged the refinery’s diesel as unfit for harsh winter conditions, prompting questions around the facility’s export standards.
According to the report, market players claimed the diesel tested from the refinery showed cloud point failures, higher-than-approved sulphur levels, and an inability to meet Germany’s premium winter diesel requirements. However, Dangote’s spokesperson, Anthony Chiejina, has dismissed the claims as misleading, stressing that the refinery does not produce winter-grade diesel and has never offered such products to European clients. He explained that diesel specifications vary across seasons, and winter diesel simply “is not part of our portfolio.”
Several European traders interviewed by Argus said they had avoided Dangote’s diesel after test samples reportedly failed to meet key winter specifications. One trader noted that a sample dated November 16 showed a cloud point of +8°C—far above Germany’s required -7°C—and sulphur content of 36ppm, exceeding Europe’s 10ppm limit. While the diesel’s specific gravity and cetane number were within acceptable ranges, experts warned that even blending the product with jet fuel would not reliably solve cold-weather deficiencies without further raising sulphur levels.
With Europe pulling back, West Africa has emerged as the main market for Dangote’s diesel exports. Data from Kpler indicates that Nigeria has so far received about 25,000 barrels per day, followed by Ghana with 14,000 b/d and Togo with 7,000 b/d—together accounting for 97 percent of the refinery’s seaborne diesel output this year. Yet even within Nigeria, some industrial consumers remain cautious, preferring diesel with a slower burn rate and slightly higher specific gravity than what Dangote typically supplies.
Despite the concerns, Dangote Refinery maintains its products meet listed export specifications and notes that upgrades are already underway. The facility, which began operations late last year, plans to expand capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day by 2028. At that stage, the company says it will begin producing winter-grade diesel and upgrade all fuel outputs to Euro VI standards—measures aimed at aligning the refinery with the world’s highest fuel quality benchmarks.
source: The Guardian