Finally, Dangote Refinery is on the verge of commencing operations after successfully accumulating a substantial six million barrels of crude, a crucial prerequisite before conducting test production runs.
The latest delivery of one million barrels of domestic Agbami crude, received via the Suezmax Almi Sun, signifies the sixth shipment to the refinery.
The deliveries have continued since the refinery initiated feedstock storage in its tanks last month.
Situated near Lagos, upon reaching total operational capacity, the refinery will claim the title of Africa’s most enormous, poised to substantially influence regional and international crude and fuel markets.
Experts say its capacity to cater to Nigeria’s domestic fuel needs for gasoline, diesel, kerosene, and jet fuel, with surplus volumes for export, heralds a transformative shift in the energy landscape.
Despite this significant progress, industry experts and traders forecast it may take several months before the refinery reaches its maximum operational potential.
The Dangote Group had previously outlined plans to gradually ramp up production in the forthcoming months, signalling a phased approach to scaling operations.
Under an agreement with the trading arm of Nigeria’s state-owned Nigerian National Petroleum Corp, the Dangote refinery is receiving domestic crude.
Moreover, the refinery’s versatility extends to its capability to process various African grades, Saudi Arabia’s Arab Light crude, and supplies from nations such as the United States, showcasing its potential impact on global oil markets
