Dangote Refinery Breaks Global Record with Sustained 650,000 bpd Output

By Yinka Giwa
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has set a new global benchmark, becoming the first refinery worldwide to achieve and sustain its full 650,000 barrels per day production capacity across its Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) and Motor Spirit (MS) Block.

The company disclosed that both units are now running at optimal levels following a scheduled maintenance shutdown, describing the feat as a defining moment in modern refining operations.

As part of post-maintenance protocols, the refinery initiated a rigorous 72-hour performance validation exercise in partnership with its technology licensor, UOP, to ensure peak efficiency and compliance with international operating standards.

Chief Executive Officer, David Bird, said the accomplishment reflects the robustness of the refinery’s design and operational expertise.

“Our teams have shown remarkable technical discipline and precision in stabilising the CDU and MS Block at full capacity. This achievement highlights the resilience, reliability and engineering excellence embedded in our systems. We remain focused on delivering premium-quality refined products that will reshape Nigeria’s energy future,” Bird stated.

He confirmed that the CDU and MS Block, comprising the naphtha hydrotreater, isomerisation unit and reformer, are operating consistently at their nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.

According to him, additional processing units will undergo their own performance test runs under Phase Two of the programme, expected to begin next week.

Over the recent festive season, the refinery supplied between 45 million and 50 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) daily. With full restoration and optimisation of the CDU and MS Block, the facility now has the capacity to supply up to 75 million litres of PMS per day to meet domestic demand when required.

The refinery noted that the milestone bolsters Nigeria’s quest for energy independence, cuts reliance on fuel imports, and reinforces the country’s ambition to become a net exporter of refined petroleum products.