Dangote Refinery Hits 650,000 BPD Capacity, Setting Global Single-Train Record
Dangote Single-Train Plant Operates at 650,000 Barrels Per Day
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reached its full design capacity of 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day (bpd), marking a historic milestone in the global energy sector. In a statement issued on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, the company confirmed that the facility is now the first refinery globally to achieve full nameplate capacity in a single-train configuration of this magnitude.
Optimisation of Primary Processing Units
This operational peak was achieved following the comprehensive restoration and optimisation of the plant’s Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) and the Motor Spirit (MS) production block. These critical components are now functioning at steady-state operations, enabling the refinery to process its maximum rated throughput.
To ensure the sustainability of this milestone, the refinery has commenced a 72-hour intensive performance test run in partnership with its technology licensor, UOP. The validation process is designed to confirm operational efficiency, system integrity under maximum load, and adherence to international safety and quality standards.
Technical Integration and Output Capacity
According to David Bird, Chief Executive Officer of Dangote Petroleum Refinery, the seamless integration of the CDU and the MS Block—which includes the naphtha hydrotreater, isomerisation unit, and reformer unit underscores the plant’s advanced engineering.
“Our teams have demonstrated exceptional precision in stabilising these units,” Bird stated. “This testing phase allows us to validate the entire plant under real operating conditions, ensuring we remain on track to deliver world-class output consistently.”
Key data points regarding the refinery’s current capabilities include:
Current Throughput: 650,000 barrels per day.
Daily PMS Potential: Positioned to deliver up to 75 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) daily.
Domestic Contribution: Supplied between 45 million and 50 million litres of petrol daily during the recent festive period.
Phase 2 and Future Expansion Plans
With Phase 1 technical validation nearing completion, the refinery is scheduled to begin Phase 2 performance test runs for the remaining processing units next week.
Beyond its current nameplate capacity, the management has indicated a "design margin" that could allow the plant to ramp up to 700,000 bpd following minor modifications and proven performance. Furthermore, the Dangote Group previously announced plans to expand the facility to 1.4 million bpd within three years, a move that would solidify its position as the largest refining complex in the world.
Strategic Impact on Nigeria’s Economy
The attainment of full production capacity is expected to have profound implications for Nigeria’s fiscal landscape. By eliminating the nation’s long-standing dependence on imported petroleum products, the refinery aims to:
Conserve Foreign Exchange: Reducing the multi-billion dollar annual expenditure on fuel imports.
Enhance Energy Security: Ensuring a steady supply of high-quality refined products to the domestic market.
Position Nigeria as an Exporter: Enabling the country to become a net exporter of petroleum products to the West African sub-region and beyond.
The successful ramp-up of the Dangote Petroleum Refinery to 650,000 bpd represents a turning point for Africa's largest oil producer. As the plant moves from technical validation to sustained commercial operations, the focus shifts to maintaining efficiency and scaling output to meet both local and continental demand. This milestone reinforces the refinery's role as a cornerstone of Nigeria's industrial diversification and economic sovereignty.
