Here Are Nigeria’s 10 Operational Refineries and Their Production Capacities

Crude oil exploration in Nigeria started in 1937 when Shell D’Arcy was given the exclusive right to explore the entire country. 

The first significant discovery happened in Oloibiri, Bayelsa State, in 1956, when Shell-BP drilled a successful well. This discovery led to Nigeria’s first shipment of crude oil in 1958.

As Nigeria’s economy expanded, the demand for petroleum products grew. Initially, the country met this demand by importing petroleum products.

However, to become more self-sufficient, the Nigerian Government began setting up its own refineries and privatising some refineries to meet demands

Under President Buhari’s administration, the modular refinery initiative was launched to enhance Nigeria’s refining capacity to better meet domestic demands.

The following is an overview of Nigeria’s operational refineries and their production capacities:

1. Edo Refinery and Petrochemical Company:

Owned by AIPCC Energy, this facility operates in two phases with capacities of 1,000 BPSD and 5,000 BPSD, respectively. It’s already functional, and a third phase aiming for a 12,000 BPD capacity is under construction, set to be operational by 2024.

2. Duport Midstream: 

Also in Edo State, this refinery has a capacity of 2,500 BPD and commenced operations in 2023 after its completion in 2022.

3. Walter Smith Refinery:

 Located in Imo State, this refinery began its operations in 2020 with a capacity of 5,000 BPD. There are future plans to increase this to 50,000 BPD.

4. OPAC Refinery:

 This 10,000 BPD modular refinery in Kwale, Delta State was completed in 2021, marking a step forward in the government’s push to boost local refining capabilities.

5. Niger Delta Petroleum Refinery (Aradel):

 Starting with a 1,000 bbl/day plant in 2010, it has expanded to an 11,000 bbl/day capacity, producing various petroleum products.

6. Old Port-Harcourt Refinery:

 Commissioned in 1965, this refinery had an initial capacity of 60,000 barrels per day. Despite experiencing a decline over the years, it received a contract for phased repairs by Tecnimont SPA in March 2021.

7. Kaduna Refinery:

 With a capacity of 110,000 barrels per day, it was built in 1976. Over the years, it operated below capacity, which led to a $586 million turnaround maintenance contract awarded in 2021.

8. Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company:

 Commissioned in 1978, it has a capacity of 125,000 BPD but has struggled to operate at full capacity. In 2021, the government contracted Saipem SPA for its repair at $897 million.

9. New Port-Harcourt Refinery:

 Opened in 1985, it increased the total refining capacity of the plants to 210,000 barrels per day. Despite its high capacity, it has often operated below 50% of its designed capacity.

10. Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals FZE:

 This is the largest on the list, with a 650,000 BPD capacity, located in Lekki, Lagos. It was a massive $19 billion project that started refining oil in late December 2023 and began dispensing products by May 2024.