The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has achieved a major operational milestone with the full restoration and optimisation of its Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) and Motor Spirit (MS) production block, both of which are now operating at full nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.
The development positions the facility as the first refinery in the world to attain this operational feat at such scale.
According to the company, the milestone follows a scheduled maintenance exercise on the CDU and MS Block, after which the refinery commenced an intensive 72-hour series of performance test runs in collaboration with its licensor, UOP.
The tests are designed to validate operational efficiency and confirm that all critical parameters meet global standards, further strengthening steady-state operations at Africa’s largest oil refining facility.
Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, David Bird, described the development as a demonstration of advanced engineering and strong operational capacity.
“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 noted that the milestone underscores the strength and reliability of the refinery’s engineering design.
“This milestone underscores the strength, reliability, and engineering quality that define our operations. We remain committed to producing high-quality refined products that will transform Nigeria’s energy landscape, eliminate import dependence, and position the nation as a net exporter of petroleum products,” he stated.
Bird explained that the CDU and MS Block comprise key processing units including the naphtha hydrotreater, isomerisation unit, and reformer unit, all of which are now operating steadily at full capacity.
He further disclosed that all remaining processing units will commence their respective performance test runs in Phase Two, scheduled to begin next week.
The refinery also revealed that during the recent festive period, it supplied between 45 and 50 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) daily. With the CDU and MS Block now fully restored, the facility is positioned to deliver up to 75 million litres of PMS to the domestic market as required.
Expressing appreciation to customers and Nigerians nationwide, Bird reaffirmed the refinery’s commitment to enhancing Nigeria’s energy security while supporting industrial development, job creation and economic diversification.