The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reached a major operational milestone with the full restoration and optimisation of its Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) and Motor Spirit (MS) production block, now operating at full nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.
With this development, the refinery—Africa’s largest—has strengthened its steady-state operations, reinforcing its position as one of the world’s most significant single-train refining facilities.
Following a scheduled maintenance exercise on the CDU and MS Block, the refinery commenced an intensive 72-hour performance test run in collaboration with its licensor, UOP. The tests are aimed at validating operational efficiency and ensuring that all critical parameters align with global standards.
Chief Executive Officer, David Bird, said the seamless integration and performance of the units reflect the refinery’s advanced engineering design and strong operational capability.
“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,” he said.
Bird added that the CDU and MS Block—which include the naphtha hydrotreater, isomerisation unit, and reformer unit—are now running steadily at full capacity. He further disclosed that the remaining processing units will begin their performance test runs in Phase 2, scheduled to commence next week.
During the recent festive season, the refinery supplied between 45 and 50 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) daily. With the CDU and MS Block fully restored, the facility is now positioned to supply up to 75 million litres of PMS daily to meet domestic demand.
Bird expressed appreciation to customers and Nigerians nationwide, reiterating the refinery’s commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s energy security, reducing import dependence, and positioning the country as a net exporter of refined petroleum products.
