By Nudoiba Ojen
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has said that its aviation fuel and diesel will hit the domestic market this week.
The company, which began production on Friday, said that its refined aviation fuel and diesel are stored in the refinery’s storage pending approval by the approval by the appropriate Federal Government agency for the products to hit the domestic market.
The approval is expected from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority, NMDPRA, which is responsible for the regulation of midstream and downstream petroleum operations in Nigeria.
In a statement, the company stated, “We have started the production of diesel and aviation fuel, and the products will be in the market within this month once we receive regulatory approvals.
“This is a big day for Nigeria. We are delighted to have reached this significant milestone. This is an important achievement for our country as it demonstrates our ability to develop and deliver large capital projects. This is a game changer for our country, and I am very fulfilled with the actualisation of this project.
“The refinery has so far received six million barrels of crude oil at its two SPMs located 25 kilometres from the shore. The first crude delivery was done on December 12, 2023, and the 6th cargo was delivered on January 8, 2024.
“The Refinery can load 2,900 trucks a day at its truck-loading gantries. The products from the Refinery will conform to Euro V specifications. The refinery design complies with the World Bank, US EPA, European emission norms, and Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) emission/effluent norms. Employing state-of-the-art technology.
“I must extend our sincere appreciation to our bankers and financiers, both local and offshore, who demonstrated a great deal of patience, in seeing us through many difficult times.
“In the same vein, we thank the Government of Lagos State, under the leadership of Babajide Sanwo-Olu, who has been incredibly proactive in ensuring that the many challenges we encountered in the course of executing this project were quickly resolved. I thank him immensely.
“I also sincerely thank our host communities and their traditional leaders for their sustained patience, forbearance, and admirable willingness to work with us to find amicable and win-win resolutions to the many issues we have had to deal with as the construction of this huge facility progressed. Our staff have also contributed so immensely to the success of this project. I thank them profusely.”
Meanwhile, the President of Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, has thanked President Bola Tinubu for his support, encouragement, and thoughtful advice towards the actualisation of this project.
Dangote also thanked the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPC Limited), the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), NMDPRA and Nigerians for their support and belief in the historic project.
He said, “We thank President Bola Tinubu for his support and for making our dream come true. This production, as witnessed today, would not have been possible without his visionary leadership and prompt attention to detail.
“His intervention at various stages cleared all impediments, thereby accelerating the actualisation of the project. We also thank the NNPC, NUPRC and NMDPRA for their support. These organisations have been our dependable partners in this historic journey.”
Also, the Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber, NJ Ayuk, said in a telephone chat, “We are excited to see that the Dangote Refinery has secured its crude cargoes. This is a significant milestone, both for the country and the West African region at large. With a capacity to produce 350,000 barrels per day, the refinery holds particular significance for the country, where reliance on fuel imports has been a defining feature for decades, despite its over 37 billion barrels of proven reserves.”
“This cargo will see diesel, aviation fuel and Liquefied Petroleum Gas produced, followed shortly thereafter by the production of Premium Motor Spirit. These products will enable the country to become self-sufficient while exporting to regional neighbours. This, in turn, will strengthen the fiscal dynamics, putting an end to fuel subsidies, high prices and inconsistent supply, thereby setting a strong benchmark for other resource-rich countries in Africa.”
Similarly, the Chairman of International Energy Services, Dr Diran Fawibe, said, “This is a welcome development that will create many multiplier effects, including additional job opportunities. Any producing country would want to allocate a share of its local production to refining and that makes the industry complete.”
