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The Dangote Refinery is set to import 12 million barrels of US crude in February to address shortfalls in local supply. The $20 billion facility targets full capacity by mid-2025, with storage expansion underway to support operations. The naira-for-crude policy aids procurement but relies heavily on international sourcing.

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery is set to receive 12 million barrels of crude oil from the United States in February, as it seeks to address the limited supply of local crude from the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC). The refinery, located in Lekki, Lagos, is currently producing 500,000 barrels per day (bpd) and aims to reach its full capacity of 650,000 bpd by mid-2025.

The NNPC, responsible for supplying local refineries, has struggled to meet the refinery’s demand, providing only 350,000 bpd out of the required 550,000 bpd. To mitigate the shortfall, the $20 billion facility has begun importing crude from international markets.

Officials revealed plans to build eight additional storage tanks, which will increase the refinery's crude storage capacity by over 40%. This expansion will enable stockpiling of imported crude to ensure uninterrupted operations.

The naira-for-crude initiative, introduced by President Bola Tinubu in 2024, allows the refinery to procure crude oil in local currency. However, officials acknowledge that relying solely on NNPC's supply is unsustainable.

In May 2024, the refinery secured a tender to purchase 24 million barrels of West Texas Intermediate Midland crude over 12 months. It continues to supply gasoline, diesel, and aviation fuel to Nigeria and neighboring countries, playing a crucial role in addressing energy demands across the region.