Dangote Refinery Faces Petrol Production Challenges Due to Technical Issues

Dangote Refinery is experiencing technical challenges affecting its petrol production unit, leading to disruptions and delays in output. The refinery's Residue Fluid Catalytic Cracker (RFCC) is identified as a major operational bottleneck, limiting gasoline production despite its crude distillation capacity of around 200,000 barrels per day.

The RFCC, which restarted in April 2025 and was expected to resume operations in early February, may not fully stabilize until around February 10, leading to potential further delays. The refinery's crude processing levels have been estimated between 280,000 and 300,000 barrels per day in January, with a projected increase to 300,000-320,000 bpd in February.

Analysts caution that the refinery's operations may remain constrained for several months, impacting its ability to reach full production capacity. Despite these challenges, Dangote Refinery is managing to sustain gasoline supply through secondary units like the Catalytic Reforming Unit (CCR) and Isomerization Unit, alongside increased gasoline component imports.

The refinery's shift towards lighter crude grades aims to reduce operational disruptions, but sustained throughput above 320,000 bpd depends on the RFCC's stability. Analysts warn of potential downside risks in Nigeria's fuel market due to Dangote Refinery's operational challenges in the first half of 2026.