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Nigeria on Track to End Fuel Imports: Dangote Refinery Begins Test Runs

© AFP 2023 PIUS UTOMI EKPEIA general view of Dangote Petroleum Refinery Petrochemicals in Lagos, on May 22, 2023.
A general view of Dangote Petroleum Refinery Petrochemicals in Lagos, on May 22, 2023.  - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 05.11.2023
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With a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day, the Dangote refinery is expected to revolutionize the oil trade in the region and reduce the dependence of Nigeria and other African countries on fuel imports from Europe and North America, which have traditionally dominated the African fuel market.
Nigeria's NNPC Ltd, the country's sole licensed oil company, will supply the newly established Dangote Oil Refinery with up to six cargoes of crude oil for test runs in December, according to Western media reports citing industry sources.
Located in the Lekki free trade zone near Nigeria's economic capital, Lagos, the refinery, when fully operational, is expected to make Nigeria a net exporter of processed fuels.

The initial contract with NNPC is for six cargoes or 200,000 barrels per day, with the potential for future volumes based on mutual agreement and availability, the media reported, citing an unnamed NNPC official.

While details of the agreement remain confidential, other sources indicated plans for 4-5 cargoes or a minimum of 130,000 barrels per day. Gasoline and diesel purchases will be negotiated separately in future contracts between Dangote Group and the NNPC, which has a 20% stake in the project.
The Dangote refinery, financed by Africa's richest man, Aliko Dangote, was commissioned in May after significant delays and a cost overrun of $19 billion, exceeding the original estimate of $12-14 billion. The commissioning process involves testing and ensuring the proper functioning of various units that produce different petroleum products. The transition from test runs to full capacity production of high quality fuels can take several months.
Dangote Petroleum Refinery Milestone: Presidents Muhammadu Buhari, Nana Akufo-Addo (Ghana), Macky Sall (Senegal), Mohamed Bazoum (Niger), Faure Gnassingbe (Togo),state governors, members of National Assembly, captains of industry assembled at Ibeju Lekki for historic commissioning - Sputnik Africa, 1920, 25.05.2023
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"Game-Changer": Experts Stress Significance of Dangote Refinery Opening for Nigeria and Africa
Experts believe that as the refinery reaches full capacity, the value of the fuels it produces will improve.
To sustain operations, the refinery will need to process about 325,000 barrels of crude oil per day, or about 10 cargoes per month, according to Jeremy Parker, head of business development for Africa-focused oil consultancy CITAC. In later phases, the refinery is expected to operate at 650,000 barrels per day.
The Nigerian Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, has stated that the Dangote refinery, in addition to other smaller refineries in Nigeria, will enable the country to stop importing fuel by next year.
"The Port Harcourt Refinery when completed is expected to produce about 54 to 60 barrels per day, while Warri refinery when it comes on stream by February, 2024 will produce 75 barrels of oil per day. If we add that to Dangote refinery we will be able to stop fuel imports and Nigeria can now have the benefits of full deregulation," Lokpobiri said in late August.
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