Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals imported nearly 250,000 metric tonnes of crude oil and intermediate feedstocks at its Lekki terminal in Lagos. Nigerian Ports Authority data revealed the details.
The imports included refinery feedstock and petroleum blending components such as crude oil, condensate, naphtha, and cracked gasoline.
The vessel Seaways Montauk delevered 140,187 metric tonnes of crude oil from the Port of Ingleside in the United States. It departed on January 21. The ship Mostar brought 37,025 metric tonnes of cracked gasoline.
Additionally, Maersk Trieste carried 37,455 metric tonnes of blended stock. Furthermore Ellie M II transported 35,062.568 metric tonnes of condensate and naphtha.
Agents handled these shipments efficiently. West Atlantic Port Services Nigeria Limited managed some. Tera Shipping and Bluestar Shipping Limited oversaw others. The total confirmed volume reached 249,729.568 metric tonnes. Meanwhile Archagelos Micheal sailed en route to load Jet A1, though its tonnage remained undisclosed.
Refinery Addresses Misinformation
The refinery dismissed claims that it imported finished petroleum products like Premium Motor Spirit. Officials issued a statement to clarify operations.
They stated, “This propaganda is being promoted by unpatriotic and unscrupulous individuals who cannot afford to see Nigeria stop imports. Individuals who helped to milk the NNPC refineries through fraudulent financing transactions for refinery repairs, which ended up being squandered. These individuals will soon have their day in court.”
Moreover the refinery explained the need for further processing. It noted, “These materials, including high sulphur reformates, low-RON condensates, and high sulphur cracked gasoline, must undergo further processing before they meet regulated market specifications.”
Operational Strategy Revealed
David Bird, the managing director, provided insights into the refinery’s design. He explained, “The Dangote refinery was deliberately designed to function differently from conventional refineries in crude producing countries.”
“A merchant refinery sources crude and other feedstocks from the global market. This is a real moneymaker for us. We crack low value residue and convert it into high value white product.”
As a result, the facility produced Euro 5-compliant Premium Motor Spirit. This development ended Nigeria’s reliance on low grade imports. Moreover it enhanced the country’s energy security. The refinery followed standard practices seen in Europe and Asia by importing feedstocks globally for optimization.
