The NMDPRA report indicates that Dangote Refinery operated at an average capacity utilisation rate of 101.25 per cent in May, exceeding its nameplate capacity
KANo —
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) has disclosed that the Dangote Petroleum Refinery imported approximately 1.46 billion litres of blended gasoline between January and May 2026, underscoring a growing reliance on intermediate petroleum products to sustain high levels of fuel production.
The revelation is contained in the NMDPRA’s latest Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Statistics report for May 2026, which provides insight into the operational dynamics of the 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery.
An analysis of the data shows that the facility has been supplementing crude oil processing with imported blendstock to maintain and optimise its Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) output.
Blended gasoline refers to intermediate petroleum components used in refining processes to produce finished petrol that meets required octane ratings and environmental standards.
Unlike finished products, these intermediates are not sold directly to consumers but are blended with refinery streams and additives to enhance fuel quality and increase output volumes.
Imports declined significantly to 102.35 million litres in March before rising again to 147.37 million litres in April and surging to 240.59 million litres in May.
The cumulative total for the five-month period stands at about 1.46 billion litres.
The fluctuation in import volumes reflects shifting feedstock strategies at the refinery, particularly as crude oil supply conditions evolved during the period.
After three consecutive months of decline from January to March, the refinery increased its intake of blendstock in April and May, suggesting renewed demand for intermediate inputs to support expanding production activities.
This development coincides with sustained high operational performance at the facility, which has continued to dominate Nigeria’s domestic fuel supply market.
The NMDPRA report indicates that Dangote Refinery operated at an average capacity utilisation rate of 101.25 per cent in May, exceeding its nameplate capacity.
This level of performance underscores the strategic role of imported blended gasoline in enabling the refinery to maintain production above installed limits.
During the same month, the refinery produced an average of 44.7 million litres of petrol daily. Of this volume, approximately 41.5 million litres per day were supplied to the domestic market, while closing stock stood at 9.4 million litres.
The figures highlight the refinery’s critical role in meeting Nigeria’s fuel demand amid ongoing efforts to reduce dependence on imported refined products.
In addition to petrol, the refinery also recorded substantial output across other product lines. Daily production of Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) averaged 24.5 million litres, with 18.2 million litres supplied locally and 6.5 million litres exported.
The data further reveals that the refinery continued to receive a mix of domestic and imported crude oil feedstock.
In May, domestic crude supply to refineries totalled 15.84 million barrels, while imported crude accounted for 2.08 million barrels, bringing total crude receipts to 17.92 million barrels.
This compares with April’s total crude intake of 18.37 million barrels, comprising 17.96 million barrels of domestic crude and 410,000 barrels of imported crude.
The figures indicate that while domestic crude supply has improved significantly, imported feedstocks and intermediates remain a crucial component of the refinery’s operational model.
A broader trend analysis shows that total crude receipts rose steadily from 9.53 million barrels in January to a peak of 20.92 million barrels in March before moderating to 17.92 million barrels in May.
Notably, January recorded the highest volume of blended gasoline imports at 658.31 million litres, coinciding with relatively low crude receipts.
This suggests that the refinery relied heavily on imported intermediates at the start of the year to compensate for limited crude availability and sustain product output.
As crude supply improved in February and March, dependence on blended gasoline declined sharply.
Crude intake increased to 13.11 million barrels in February and further to 20.92 million barrels in March, while blendstock imports dropped to their lowest level of 102.35 million litres in March.
However, the subsequent rise in blendstock imports in April and May indicates a strategic recalibration, possibly aimed at maximising petrol production amid strong domestic demand and export opportunities.
Industry analysts note that the use of blended gasoline provides refiners with greater flexibility, allowing them to boost output without relying solely on crude oil inputs.
In the case of Dangote Refinery, the NMDPRA data suggests that this approach has been instrumental in sustaining high production levels and achieving operational efficiency
. The refinery’s ability to operate above its installed capacity highlights the effectiveness of its feedstock strategy, even as it continues to integrate domestic crude supplies into its operations.
The development also reflects broader trends in global refining, where operators increasingly utilise a combination of crude oil and intermediate feedstocks to enhance productivity and respond to market dynamics.
As Nigeria seeks to strengthen its energy security and reduce reliance on imported refined products, the performance of Dangote Refinery remains central to the country’s downstream petroleum landscape.
The continued use of imported blendstock, however, underscores the complexity of refining operations and the need for a diversified feedstock approach to sustain output and meet growing demand.
With production levels remaining strong and supply to the domestic market stable, stakeholders will be closely monitoring how the refinery balances crude utilisation with intermediate imports in the coming months, particularly as crude supply arrangements and market conditions continue to evolve.
