The Dangote Oil Refining Company proudly announced the arrival of its inaugural one million barrels of Agbami crude grade, courtesy of the Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited (STASCO). Aliko Dangote, Chairman of Dangote Group, shared that the plant is poised to commence production with an initial 350,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude.
In a statement released on Friday, the company disclosed that the first million barrels marks the initial phase of the six million barrels set to be supplied to the refinery by various contributors. The Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited is scheduled to deliver the next four cargoes within the next two to three weeks, followed by the final shipment from ExxonMobil.
"The next four cargoes will be supplied by the NNPC in two to three weeks and the final of the six cargoes will be supplied by ExxonMobil," the statement reads.
This significant development positions the refinery to kick-start production of diesel, aviation fuel, and LPG, with plans to progress to the production of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). The refinery's management expressed optimism that this step will play a pivotal role in addressing fuel supply challenges faced not only by Nigeria but also by West African countries.
The Dangote Refinery, designed to process 100 percent Nigerian crude, boasts versatility to handle various African crude grades, Middle Eastern Arab Light, US Light tight oil, and crudes from other nations. It is poised to meet 100 percent of Nigeria's refined product requirements, including gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and aviation jet, with surplus for export.
Aliko Dangote stated, "I look forward to the next significant milestone when we deliver the first batch of products to the Nigerian market." Osagie Okunbor, Country Chairman of Shell Companies in Nigeria, expressed their happiness in enabling the operationalization of the refinery.
In the coming months, the focus for the company is to ramp up the refinery to its full capacity, aligning with regulatory norms and international standards. The refinery's capabilities, including its self-sufficient marine facility and adherence to global specifications, position it as a key player in the region's energy landscape.
This achievement not only signifies a major milestone for Dangote Refinery but also holds promise for Nigeria's energy security and economic prospects in the region.
