Walter Smith and Aradel recorded the strongest operational performances among Nigeria’s modular refineries in August, with Walter Smith posting the highest average capacity utilisation and Aradel leading automotive gas oil (AGO) production, according to the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The authority’s August performance report showed that Walter Smith achieved an average capacity utilisation of 64.77 per cent, while Aradel recorded 58.77 per cent. Edo Refinery operated at 60.43 per cent, while OPAC posted the lowest utilisation rate at 16.97 per cent. Duport Refinery was listed as shut down during the reporting period.
Despite recording a lower capacity utilisation rate than Walter Smith and Edo Refinery, Aradel produced the highest volume of AGO among the four operational facilities listed, at 0.31 million litres. Walter Smith followed with 0.28 million litres, while OPAC produced 0.11 million litres and Edo Refinery recorded 0.08 million litres.
The figures indicate that Aradel accounted for the largest AGO production volume among the facilities covered by the report, while Walter Smith recorded the highest average capacity utilisation. The distinction is important because capacity utilisation measures the extent to which a refinery uses its available processing capacity, while production reflects the volume of a particular product delivered over the reporting period.
On domestic AGO receipts, Aradel recorded 0.33 million litres, ahead of Walter Smith’s 0.29 million litres. Edo Refinery recorded 0.08 million litres, while OPAC posted 0.09 million litres.
The report also put average AGO supplied to the modular refineries at 0.79 million litres. However, the graphic does not specify the precise period covered by this average or provide the individual refineries’ installed capacities and total crude throughput, limiting further comparisons of their operating efficiency.
AGO, commonly known as diesel, is a critical industrial fuel used in manufacturing, logistics, commercial transport and off-grid power generation. Domestic production from modular refineries contributes to the supply available to these users, although production figures alone do not establish how much national demand is being met or how much imported diesel is being displaced.
The August data therefore present a mixed performance across Nigeria’s modular refining segment: Aradel led in AGO output and domestic receipts, Walter Smith recorded the highest capacity utilisation, and Duport remained shut down. Sustained operations, higher utilisation and consistent product deliveries will be important in assessing the sector’s contribution to domestic diesel supply.