Dangote Petroleum Refinery has emerged as the world’s largest exporter of jet fuel in April, driven by strong production levels and shifting global trade flows caused by the Middle East conflict, according to the refinery’s Chief Executive Officer, David Bird.
Speaking in a report by S&P Global Energy, Bird said the refinery moved into “max jet mode” after disruptions linked to the conflict reshaped aviation fuel supply routes across key international markets.
According to S&P Global Commodities at Sea data, the refinery became the world’s single biggest exporter of aviation fuel in April as supply disruptions created fresh demand for alternative suppliers outside the Middle East.
“After the Middle East war began, Dangote shifted to ‘max jet mode,’ and in April it became the world’s single largest exporter of aviation fuel,” the report stated.
The 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery has now reached full production capacity following a gradual ramp-up phase and is sustaining near-peak operational output.
Bird disclosed that the facility is using a flexible blending system, including imported feedstocks such as GTL naphtha and Bonny condensate, to optimise gasoline yields and strengthen production efficiency.
He added that maintaining large-scale operations would require deeper trading expertise, stronger logistics coordination and more resilient supply chains as the refinery expands beyond local crude supply limitations.
The refinery is also transitioning towards a merchant refining model, actively trading crude oil and refined products in global markets rather than operating solely as a domestic processor.
As part of its broader expansion strategy, Dangote Refinery is widening its crude slate beyond Nigerian light sweet grades, with the capability to process about 40 crude types and plans to increase that number over time.
Bird said the company’s long-term ambition is to grow production capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day, a target that would require sourcing additional crude from markets including the United States, the Middle East and South America.
The refinery is also pursuing long-term offtake deals with governments, airlines and national oil companies, while investing in regional storage, logistics and infrastructure projects across parts of Africa.
The Middle East conflict involving the United States, Iran and Israel tightened global fuel supply chains after disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, creating pricing opportunities for alternative jet fuel suppliers.
In Nigeria, rising aviation fuel costs had earlier pressured airline operators, prompting government intervention through benchmark pricing and credit support measures coordinated by the .
Earlier this month, Dangote Refinery reduced the ex-depot price of Jet A1 from ₦1,750 to ₦1,650 per litre and introduced a 30-day interest-free credit facility for marketers and airline operators. The refinery also shifted aviation fuel transactions from dollar pricing to naira-denominated sales to improve supply stability and ease pressure on domestic operators.
emerged as the world’s largest exporter of jet fuel in April, driven by strong production levels and shifting global trade flows caused by the Middle East conflict, according to the refinery’s Chief Executive Officer, David Bird.
Speaking in a report by S&P Global Energy, Bird said the refinery moved into “max jet mode” after disruptions linked to the conflict reshaped aviation fuel supply routes across key international markets.
According to S&P Global Commodities at Sea data, the refinery became the world’s single biggest exporter of aviation fuel in April as supply disruptions created fresh demand for alternative suppliers outside the Middle East.
“After the Middle East war began, Dangote shifted to ‘max jet mode,’ and in April it became the world’s single largest exporter of aviation fuel,” the report stated.
The 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery has now reached full production capacity following a gradual ramp-up phase and is sustaining near-peak operational output.
Bird disclosed that the facility is using a flexible blending system, including imported feedstocks such as GTL naphtha and Bonny condensate, to optimise gasoline yields and strengthen production efficiency.
He added that maintaining large-scale operations would require deeper trading expertise, stronger logistics coordination and more resilient supply chains as the refinery expands beyond local crude supply limitations.
The refinery is also transitioning towards a merchant refining model, actively trading crude oil and refined products in global markets rather than operating solely as a domestic processor.
As part of its broader expansion strategy, Dangote Refinery is widening its crude slate beyond Nigerian light sweet grades, with the capability to process about 40 crude types and plans to increase that number over time.
Bird said the company’s long-term ambition is to grow production capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day, a target that would require sourcing additional crude from markets including the United States, the Middle East and South America.
The refinery is also pursuing long-term offtake deals with governments, airlines and national oil companies, while investing in regional storage, logistics and infrastructure projects across parts of Africa.
The Middle East conflict involving the United States, Iran and Israel tightened global fuel supply chains after disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz, creating pricing opportunities for alternative jet fuel suppliers.
In Nigeria, rising aviation fuel costs had earlier pressured airline operators, prompting government intervention through benchmark pricing and credit support measures coordinated by the .
Earlier this month, Dangote Refinery reduced the ex-depot price of Jet A1 from ₦1,750 to ₦1,650 per litre and introduced a 30-day interest-free credit facility for marketers and airline operators. The refinery also shifted aviation fuel transactions from dollar pricing to naira-denominated sales to improve supply stability and ease pressure on domestic operators.