Dangote Oil Refinery Readies for Global Jet Fuel Supply
The CEO of Dangote Oil Refinery, David Bird, announced that the facility has reached an impressive surplus capacity of 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) of jet fuel, positioning it well to meet demand in the global market.
Remarks at Energy Conference
Bird shared this information during his address at the S&P Global Energy Middle East Oil and Gas Conference held in London on Tuesday. He expressed appreciation for being recognized as a high-quality and dependable supplier capable of delivering competitively priced products worldwide, as reported by Reuters.
Emerging Export Opportunities Amid Local Demand Shortfalls
Bird noted that domestic demand for jet fuel in Africa remains notably lower than in other regions, creating potential export opportunities for refineries. His statement takes on added significance as global energy markets are currently experiencing volatility due to rising tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran, which has led to concerns about possible supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.
Impact on Jet Fuel Pricing
Jet fuel pricing continues to be heavily affected by these market disruptions, with prices staying elevated across multiple markets. Bird’s comments come at a time when concerns are mounting within the Nigerian aviation sector regarding the surging prices of Jet A1 fuel.
Nigerian Airlines Face Operational Challenges
Recent reports by PREMIUM TIMES have highlighted the various challenges domestic airlines are encountering as a result of increasing aviation fuel prices. Airlines such as Air Peace, United Nigeria Airlines, and Ibom Air have voiced their frustrations, warning that these rising costs pose significant threats to their operations and could ultimately disrupt flight schedules. In response to these challenges, government interventions have been sought to alleviate the burden on airlines, which have expressed fears that persistent fuel price hikes could jeopardize their survival.
Expansion Plans of Dangote Refinery
Despite the ongoing challenges faced by airlines, the current scenario has also presented growth opportunities for refiners outside the Gulf region, such as Dangote Refinery, to boost their exports to international markets. Bird revealed that the refinery is operating at full nameplate capacity and is implementing a “ruthless replication” strategy aimed at increasing production. He anticipates that a fully complex refining capacity of 700,000 barrels per day will be achieved by the end of 2028, with long-lead equipment already acquired and construction contracts being finalized.
Positioning for Global Market Leadership
Bird further indicated that with plans to construct another refinery in East Africa, Dangote’s overall refining capacity could eventually expand to an impressive 2.1 million barrels per day. This strategic vision aims to solidify the company’s status as a significant participant in the global crude oil and refined products markets. Bird remarked that since the Dangote refinery began operations, Nigeria has shifted from being fuel-scarce to becoming a fuel-abundant nation.
Increasing Jet Fuel Exports
According to data from Kpler cited last month, the Dangote refinery has exported approximately 57 million barrels of jet fuel from April 2024 to April 2026. Jet fuel exports saw a remarkable rise, escalating from around 20,000 barrels per day in April 2024 to approximately 65,000 barrels per day by year-end, ultimately peaking at about 160,000 barrels per day during the examined period. These figures underscore the evolving role of refined petroleum exports within Nigeria’s energy sector, especially regarding aviation fuels, as the country seeks to enhance domestic refining capabilities and reduce reliance on imported products.
