Dangote Refinery Launches Round-the-Clock Petrol Loading Operations

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has begun night-time petrol loading operations, marking a transition to full 24-hour activities at Africa’s largest refinery. This move aims to sustain a daily supply of over 50 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (petrol) across Nigeria. The expansion comes as the refinery ramps up production, improves logistics, and strengthens fuel security, addressing concerns about potential maintenance-related disruptions. Originally designed for daytime loading, the facility now operates around the clock to match rising output with continuous product evacuation. At a press briefing on Wednesday, Managing Director David Bird said the shift to round-the-clock loading was necessary to meet market demand and reduce turnaround time. “We are consistently meeting the 50 million litres daily requirement, with output exceeding 52 million litres on some days,” he noted. Bird highlighted that the refinery has already achieved nighttime loading, with over a thousand trucks processed daily through its gantry, reflecting improvements in logistics and evacuation efficiency. He stressed that maintaining high production requires not just output but efficient distribution. “Supply stability directly supports economic activity. Affordable and abundant fuel stimulates demand, which in turn drives growth,” Bird said. The refinery’s flexibility allows it to maintain output even during planned maintenance, producing petrol via multiple routes, including crude processing, intermediate feedstocks, or blending components. “This resilience ensures we can meet domestic demand while maintaining export capabilities, producing fuels compliant with Euro-5 standards,” he added. Bird also emphasized the impact of domestic refining on Nigeria’s fuel market. “We’ve moved from scarcity to abundance, providing cleaner, high-quality fuels and reducing dependence on imports, which shields the market from global price volatility,” he said. While exports remain an option, Bird noted that prioritising the domestic market is key to stabilising prices and supporting national economic activity. “Our commitment to 24-hour operations ensures consistent supply, fuel security, and market stability across Nigeria,” he concluded.