THERE are indications that the $19 billion Dangote Refinery will soon commence refining after getting one million barrels of crude oil.
The statement released by Dangote yesterday, revealed that the 6th one million Agbami crude oil was delivered via MT ALMI SUN, thus enabling the Refinery to meet the stocks required to test run its operations.
The Refinery started receiving its first one million barrels of Agbami crude grade from Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited (STASCO).
Dangote Oil Refining Company, which the NNPC Ltd., has 20 per cent stake, has started preparing for the test running of the plant.
The Managing Director of Dangote Ports Operations, Mr. Akin Omole had said: “Once the 6 million barrels are fully delivered, it will facilitate the initial run of the refinery as well as kick-start the production of diesel, aviation fuel, and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) before subsequently progressing to the production of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).”
According to the company, “Dangote Oil Refinery is 650,000 barrels per day (BPD) integrated refinery project under construction in the Lekki Free Zone near Lagos, Nigeria. It is expected to be Africa’s biggest oil refinery and the world’s biggest single-train facility.”
In a telephone interview with Vanguard, the Executive Chairman, African Energy Chamber, NJ Ayuk, said: “We were excited the delivery of millions of barrels to Dangote Refinery. 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.”
