Dangote dismisses refinery shutdown rumours

Dangote refinery has dismissed the rumoured planned maintenance shutdown for the rest of 2025, stating that halting operations of the plant in December would be “illogical”.

Edwin Devakumar, executive director of Dangote refinery, clarified, dismissing market rumours of a planned turnaround in December for the refinery’s 250,000 barrels per day (bpd) Residual Fluid Catalytic Cracker (RFCC) unit, which primarily produces petrol.

He said a shutdown during that period would be illogical, given that “gasoline demand would be good.”

Read also: Dangote withdraws lawsuit against NNPC, NMDPRA

Argus stated that operational performance at the Dangote facility remains robust, and any disruption, whether scheduled or unexpected, at the RFCC unit could create an opening for European petrol traders, who are currently grappling with a surplus and declining demand in traditional markets.

Data from Kpler indicates that crude deliveries to the refinery averaged 605,000 bpd so far in July, representing approximately 93 percent of the plant’s full capacity.

Dangote had originally scheduled a 30-day maintenance shutdown for its petrol-producing RFCC unit in June.

However, a Reuters report in May revealed that the planned turnaround was no longer needed, as the refinery completed critical emergency repairs and upgrades between April 7 and May 11.