The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has announced that it has reached its full nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) following the successful restoration and optimisation of its Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) and Motor Spirit (MS) production block.
In a statement issued yesterday, the management described the achievement as a major operational milestone, noting that the refinery is the first of its kind globally to attain this level of integrated performance at full capacity.
According to the statement, both the CDU and MS units are now operating at optimal levels, reinforcing steady-state operations at Africa’s largest oil refining facility.
After a scheduled maintenance exercise on the CDU and MS Block, the refinery commenced a 72-hour series of intensive performance test runs in collaboration with UOP, its technology licensor. The tests are aimed at validating operational efficiency and ensuring all critical parameters meet international standards.
Chief Executive Officer, David Bird, said the smooth integration and strong output of the units reflect the refinery’s advanced engineering and operational strength.
“Our teams have demonstrated exceptional precision and expertise in stabilising both the CDU and MS Block, and we are pleased to see them functioning at optimal efficiency. This performance testing phase enables us to validate the entire plant under real operating conditions. We are confident that the refinery remains firmly on track to deliver consistent, world-class output,” Bird said.
He added that the milestone highlights the refinery’s reliability and engineering quality, reaffirming its commitment to reducing Nigeria’s dependence on imported petroleum products and positioning the country as a net exporter.
Bird explained that the CDU and MS Block—which include the naphtha hydrotreater, isomerisation unit, and reformer unit—are now operating steadily at the full 650,000 bpd capacity. He also disclosed that other processing units will begin their performance test runs in Phase 2 next week.
During the recent festive season, the refinery said it supplied between 45 million and 50 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) daily. With the CDU and MS Block fully restored, it stated that it can now deliver up to 75 million litres of PMS to the domestic market as needed.
The company expressed appreciation to its customers and Nigerians nationwide, reiterating its commitment to strengthening the country’s energy security, supporting industrial growth, creating jobs, and driving economic diversification.
