Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest petrochemical complex, the $20-billion Dangote Oil Refinery, owned by Aliko Dangote, the world’s richest Black billionaire, achieved a significant milestone on Monday with the arrival of its fourth shipment of one million barrels of Bonny Light crude oil.
In a significant stride toward operational efficiency, the 1 million barrels of Bonny Light crude oil, supplied by the Nigerian National Petroleum Company, is part of the 6 million barrels expected by the world’s largest single-train refinery.
Confirming the milestone in a recent statement, Dangote’s Dangote Industries Limited stated, “The fresh one million barrels of crude was the fourth consignment to be delivered to the Dangote facility out of the six million barrels of crude being expected by the world’s largest single-train refinery.”
Dangote’s petrochemical complex gears up for fifth shipment
This delivery follows three previous shipments in December 2023, positioning the Dangote Petrochemical Complex to receive its fifth consignment shortly. Officials within the group anticipate that the refinery will commence production of refined Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) and aviation fuel (JetA1) within the current month.
Akin Omole, the managing director of Dangote Ports Operations, had earlier outlined the refinery’s ambitious plan to receive a total of four million crude oil shipments by the end of 2023. He added that the remaining two million barrels would arrive in early January 2024, setting the stage for production initiation.
From delays to triumph: Dangote Petrochemical Complex ready to fuel Nigeria’s energy future
Inaugurated in May 2023 amidst high expectations, the Dangote Oil Refinery initially faced operational delays, prompting concerns about its ability to meet Nigeria’s refined petroleum needs. However, with the successful arrival of the crude shipments, the refinery is now positioned to fulfill its commitment to supply gasoline to the country.
The Dangote Petrochemical Complex boasts a 650,000 barrels per day capacity and projects an annual revenue of $27 billion at full capacity. It is poised to meet 100 percent of Nigeria’s demand for all refined petroleum products, including petrol, diesel, kerosene, and jet fuel. Furthermore, the complex has surplus production for export.
Initially focusing on producing diesel, aviation fuel, and gas, the refinery plans to gradually introduce petrol production in later stages. The facility, which received license in November to refine over 300,000 barrels of Nigerian crude daily, aims to process 350,000 barrels of crude oil per day initially, with plans for a subsequent increase to its maximum capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.
