Dangote refinery gasoline unit down 34% to resume June

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery in Lagos, Nigeria, has reduced the operating capacity of its key gasoline-producing unit by approximately 34 percent since late May due to technical issues, according to industry monitor IIR Energy. The facility, which is Africa's largest refinery, expects the unit to resume full production rates by mid-June.

The operational challenges began with feedstock constraints when the refinery processed lighter crude oil, resulting in insufficient feed for the Residue Fluid Catalytic Cracking Unit (RFCCU). A separate technical issue with the unit's flue gas slide gate valve was later identified. Repair work on that valve is reported to be nearly complete. The refinery did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the situation.

Despite the reduction at the gasoline unit, officials have indicated the refinery as a whole is fully operational and recently completed performance test runs processing 700,000 barrels per day, exceeding its nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day. The development comes amid heightened global fuel market volatility and rising crude oil prices linked to geopolitical tensions.

Data from commodities analytics firm Kpler...