Dangote Refinery Hits Full Capacity of 650,000 bpd, Boosting Nigeria’s Energy Security
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has officially reached its full nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day (bpd), marking a historic milestone for Africa’s largest oil refining facility. The development follows the successful restoration and optimisation of its Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) and Motor Spirit (MS) production block, a feat the company describes as unprecedented for a single-train refinery of its size globally.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the refinery announced the commencement of a 72-hour intensive performance test in partnership with its licensor, UOP. The test aims to validate operational stability, efficiency, and compliance with international standards. According to the company, the milestone was achieved after scheduled maintenance work on the CDU and MS Block, with both units now fully stabilised for steady-state operations.
Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, David Bird, praised the refinery’s engineering team for their precision and expertise. He explained that the CDU serves as the refinery’s primary processing unit, separating crude oil into various components, while the MS Block — comprising the naphtha hydrotreater, isomerisation unit, and reformer — upgrades intermediate products into high-octane petrol blend components. Bird confirmed that all three components of the MS Block are now operating steadily at the full 650,000 bpd capacity.
Beyond the technical breakthrough, the refinery highlighted its expanding role in Nigeria’s domestic fuel supply. During the recent festive period, it reportedly supplied between 45 million and 50 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) daily to the local market. With operations now fully optimised, the facility says it can deliver up to 75 million litres of petrol daily if required — a move that could significantly reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported refined products.
The announcement comes at a time when Nigeria is intensifying efforts to strengthen energy security, conserve foreign exchange, and end decades of dependence on imported fuel despite being a major crude oil producer. Looking ahead, the company reiterated its commitment to supporting industrial growth, job creation, and economic diversification. It also revealed plans to double its refining capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day within the next three years, positioning Nigeria as a potential net exporter of petroleum products.
source: punch