The Dangote refinery, which produces 650,000 barrels per day of Premium Motor Spirit or petrol, is currently conducting test runs, with full operation expected by mid-September.
This was disclosed by Reuters, citing a letter from industry monitor IIR Energy.
Aliko Dangote’s $20 billion refinery, which has hitherto solely produced diesel and other distillate fuels, said that petrol deliveries would begin in July. Previously, the refinery planned to begin producing motor fuel in May.
“It is possible that there could be further extensions”, IIR said in a note to clients.
Once fully operating, the refinery is expected to disrupt the Europe-to-Africa fuel trade and lessen Nigeria’s reliance on imported refined goods.
Earlier this month, the Federal Government’s committee, which was established to supervise the implementation of crude oil sales to local refineries in naira, struck a deal with the Dangote Petroleum Refinery for the launch of fuel in September of this year.
According to the report, the Federal Government has also announced that crude oil will be sold to Dangote Refinery and other local refineries beginning October 1, 2024.
Wale Edun, Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, made the announcement during an implementation committee meeting in Abuja.
Also at the meeting, Dr. Zacch Adedeji, Executive Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service, and the Chairman of the Technical Sub-Committee indicated that “the first PMS delivery from Dangote is expected next month under existing agreements.”
