Nigerian Refiners Struggle with Crude Shortages Amid 306m Barrels Export

Nigerian oil refineries are grappling with crude shortages as the country exported an estimated 306 million barrels of crude oil from January to October 2025, according to data from the Central Bank of Nigeria. Despite substantial crude production earmarked for export, local refineries, including Dangote Petroleum Refinery, have faced challenges in securing an adequate supply of crude.

The Crude Oil Refiners Association of Nigeria members have intermittently shut down modular refineries due to the lack of crude oil. The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission mandates that a portion of crude production be allocated to local refineries to meet domestic demand.

However, the imbalance between local consumption and exports has caused tensions among local refiners. The association has highlighted the struggle of local refineries in securing crude feedstock, impacting their production capacities.