The Dangote refinery disputes cargo allocation reports, stating that claims of seven crude oil cargoes for May are inaccurate and not officially confirmed.
Officials of the refinery clarified that the expected supply is lower than widely reported figures.
The clarification that Dangote refinery disputes cargo reports follows recent industry claims that the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited had increased crude supply to the facility from five to seven cargoes for May loading.
The refinery, located in Lekki and designed to process 650,000 barrels per day, has consistently raised concerns over insufficient domestic crude supply.
It requires significantly higher volumes to operate at optimal capacity, but has faced persistent shortfalls in allocation.
These supply constraints have contributed to operational adjustments, including reliance on imported crude and periodic fuel price increases in response to rising production costs.
Officials who spoke on condition of anonymity said the Dangote refinery disputes cargo allocation of seven shipments, noting that the actual volume expected for May is about 6.15 million barrels.
“Our May allocation is about 6.15 million barrels. The report of seven cargoes’ allocation is not clear yet,” one official stated.
Another official reiterated that the refinery is projected to receive approximately six cargoes, not seven as reported.
The refinery also disclosed its broader supply challenges, explaining that its monthly crude requirement stands at about 19.77 million barrels.
This translates to roughly 19 cargoes, given that each cargo contains about one million barrels.
Historical supply data provided by the officials showed fluctuating allocations: about 4.55 million barrels in October, 6.45 million in November, 4.30 million in December, 5.65 million in January, and 4.66 million in February, with March supply estimated at around six million barrels.
The company further noted that it has been receiving an average of five cargoes monthly from NNPC, which is significantly below the required volume needed to sustain full refining operations.
“While we receive about five cargoes a month from NNPC… these cargoes… fall short of the 13 cargoes which we require,” the refinery stated.
The position that Dangote refinery disputes cargo reports highlights ongoing uncertainty in Nigeria’s domestic crude allocation framework and its impact on refining capacity.
The gap between required and actual crude supply continues to constrain the refinery’s ability to operate at full capacity, affecting domestic fuel production and pricing.
Industry observers note that consistent feedstock supply is critical to stabilising refining output, reducing dependence on imports, and supporting Nigeria’s broader energy security objectives.
The discrepancy between reported allocations and actual figures also underscores the need for clearer communication between stakeholders in the oil and gas sector.
