Dangote Refinery Denies Shutdown Rumors

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has firmly dismissed reports suggesting a two-to-three-month shutdown of its petrol production unit, branding the claims as “fake news.”

Refinery Rejects Shutdown Claims

Anthony Chiejina, spokesperson for the Dangote Group, refuted claims from industry monitor IIR Energy, which stated the refinery’s 204,000 barrel-per-day (bpd) Residue Fluidised Catalytic Cracking Unit (RFCCU) was offline since August 29, 2025, due to catalyst leaks.

The report suggested a restart attempt on September 20, but warned that major repairs could extend downtime for months.

Chiejina challenged the report’s credibility, questioning its speculative phrasing.

“Fake news. Why the uncertainty if they’re confident?” he told reporters on Sunday.

Impact on Global Fuel Markets

Since beginning crude processing in January 2024, the 650,000 bpd refinery has significantly reduced Europe-to-West Africa petrol exports, dropping from 200,000 bpd in 2024 to 120,000 bpd in the first half of 2025, according to Kpler data.

The refinery also marked a milestone by exporting two gasoline cargoes to the US East Coast, set to arrive in New York later this month, meeting stringent US fuel standards.

Crude Supply Challenges and Diversification

The refinery has faced difficulties securing sufficient local crude, prompting diversification of its feedstock. In August 2025, it imported Ghana’s Sankofa crude, a heavier medium-sweet grade, marking its first use of Ghanaian crude.

Kpler noted that July saw record crude deliveries of 570,000 bpd, with 60% from US light sweet crude and 40% from Nigerian grades like Amenam, Bonny Light, and Escravos.

This shift highlights challenges in domestic supply and the cost-effectiveness of US imports.

Operational Milestones and Future Plans

Despite reported challenges, the refinery is operating at 68% capacity, processing around 445,000 bpd, up from 400,000 bpd in Q1 2025, according to Kpler.

Dangote aims to scale up to 700,000 bpd by December 2025, though a brief dip to 400,000 bpd is expected during planned maintenance in December–January.

The refinery’s flexibility in processing diverse crude grades, including heavier West African and US varieties, underscores its growing role in global energy markets.

Addressing Local and Global Demands

The Nigerian Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Heineken Lokpobiri, emphasized the need to boost domestic crude production to meet both local and international demands.

Dangote’s efforts to diversify its crude sources reflect its adaptability amid ongoing supply constraints.

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