In May 2025, the Dangote Petroleum Refinery significantly increased its crude oil intake, receiving at least 672,324 metric tonnes of crude from five different tankers. The cargoes, delivered between April 23 and May 21, equate to approximately 4.93 million barrels based on industry-standard conversion rates.
This volume underscores the refinery’s continued reliance on imports to meet processing needs amid ongoing challenges in sourcing sufficient local crude under Nigeria’s Domestic Crude Supply Obligation (DCSO).
Tanker Arrivals: What Came In and When
According to tanker movement data from multiple Port Reports between May 2 and May 22, the following crude oil shipments were delivered to or scheduled for Dangote Refinery:
| Vessel Name | Cargo Type | Quantity (MT) | ETA / ETB | Receiver | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| POPI SAZAKLIS | Crude Oil | 136,124 | 23 Apr – 08 May | Dangote | Berthing & discharge confirmed |
| SIENNA | Crude Oil | 140,000 | 07 May | Dangote | Yet to berth/discharge |
| HERCULES 1 | Crude Oil | 146,000 | 07–14 May | Gunvor/Dangote | Discharged |
| SIENNA (2nd voyage) | Crude Oil | 125,000 | 15 May | Dangote | Scheduled |
| SONANGOL KALANDULA | Crude Oil | 125,200 | 21 May | Dangote | Awaiting discharge |
While some vessels, like HERCULES 1, completed discharge within the period, others, such as SONANGOL KALANDULA and SIENNA (second leg), had yet to arrive or were still discharging as of the last report date.
Volume Breakdown and Conversion to Barrels
The refinery received a total of 672,324 metric tonnes (MT) of crude oil in May 2025. Using the industry-average conversion factor of 1 MT ≈ 7.33 barrels, this translates to:
672,324 MT × 7.33 = approximately 4,928,212 barrels
This volume aligns with refinery expectations as production scales up and Dangote targets both domestic supply and export contracts.
Refinery’s Heavy Import Footprint Amid Local Sourcing Gaps
Despite being built to process Nigerian crude, the Dangote Refinery has continued to rely on imported blends, including U.S. WTI and West African light sweet grades. Industry sources suggest that delays in enforcing the DCSO by International Oil Companies (IOCs) and volume shortfalls from domestic producers have forced the refinery to turn to the global market.
Meanwhile, the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has pledged to enforce compliance, but actual feedstock delivery remains inconsistent.
Looking Ahead
With full-scale operations on the horizon and output expansion underway, the Dangote Refinery’s demand for consistent and quality crude supply is expected to rise. The refinery’s continued dependence on imports may persist unless domestic producers ramp up deliveries or NNPC improves allocation efficiency.
For now, nearly 5 million barrels of imported crude in a single month paints a clear picture: Dangote remains a key player in global spot markets, and Nigeria’s self-sufficiency in refined products is still very much in transition.