Dangote Refinery Postpones Petrol Supply Timeline Due to “a Bit of Delay”

Dangote Refinery, Africa’s largest oil refinery, has pushed back its initial petrol production timeline from June to mid-July. 

The refinery’s founder Aliko Dangote cited minor delays as the reason for the schedule adjustment.

The $20 billion facility, located in the Lekki Free Zone of Lagos, now plans to begin the production of premium motor spirit (PMS), commonly referred to as petrol, between July 10 and 15. 

“We had a bit of delay, but PMS will start coming out by 10 to 15 of July,” Dangote told journalists at the refinery on Monday.

“But then we want to keep it in the tank to make sure that it settles. So by the third week of July, we’ll be able to come out to take it into the market,” he added. 

Dangote Refinery has already started supplying jet fuel and diesel to domestic marketers, which has led to a reduction in prices at the pump.

Marking a significant milestone in its operations, the refinery also made its first international jet fuel shipment, exporting cargo to Europe. 

ALSO READ: Dangote Refinery Set to Purchase 24M Barrels of U.S. Crude Oil

According to data from S&P Global Commodities at Sea, the shipment was loaded onto the vessel “Doric Breeze” and departed for Rotterdam, Netherlands on May 27.

This development is poised to have a significant impact on Nigeria’s oil and gas sector, potentially stabilizing local fuel prices and reducing dependency on imported petroleum products once the refinery operates at full capacity.