By Yunus Yusuf
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has unveiled an enlargement programme to greater than double capability from 650,000 barrels per day to 1.4 million inside three years.
The Managing Director and Chief Govt Officer, Mr David Fowl, disclosed this on Wednesday throughout an interactive media session in Lagos.
Fowl stated the enlargement would use a “roofless replication” mannequin, duplicating present infrastructure to speed up supply with out altering core engineering designs.
“As soon as engineers begin tinkering with designs, initiatives return to extended engineering phases. Our strategy avoids that.
“We won’t re-engineer or redesign. This enables us to maneuver straight into procurement and building,” Fowl stated.
He expressed confidence the enlargement could be accomplished inside three years, citing in depth preparatory work already carried out on the Lekki website.
Fowl stated procurement of long-lead objects would start instantly, with completion focused for the primary quarter of 2026.
He added that website preparation and piling works have been anticipated to start earlier than the top of January.
“The outstanding factor about this website is the foresight of Aliko Dangote.
“The land has already been reclaimed, raised and ready. A lot of the pre-investment that delays initiatives has already been carried out,” he stated.
Fowl stated steelwork for the enlargement may start rising earlier than the top of the 12 months, reinforcing confidence within the undertaking timeline.
He stated the refinery would proceed prioritising native capability growth by upskilling Nigerian employees and deepening home technical experience.
On operations, Fowl stated the refinery imports 100 per cent of its crude feedstock by sea, enabling it to course of numerous crude grades.
“This isn’t a conventional refinery tied to a single pipeline or crude stream.
“We will course of Nigerian grades, different crudes, intermediate feedstocks and mixing elements. That flexibility ensures safety of provide,” Fowl stated.
He stated superior conversion items, described because the plant’s “moneymakers”, allow manufacturing of high-quality fuels assembly market specs.
Despite not working at full capability, Fowl stated the refinery persistently delivers merchandise safely and reliably, even throughout deliberate upkeep.
“We’ve constructed sufficient resilience to take particular person items offline and nonetheless meet market demand,” he stated.
Fowl stated the refinery provided over 50 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit day by day all through the festive season.
He disclosed present PMS manufacturing of between 50 and 52 million litres day by day, with common truck-out volumes of about 50 million litres.
On the naira-for-crude coverage, Fowl stated discussions have been ongoing with NNPC Ltd. to extend crude provide underneath the association.
He urged stronger implementation by authorities and regulators.
“Efficient execution of the naira-for-crude coverage is crucial to boosting home refining, stabilising gasoline costs and easing operational pressures,” Fowl stated.
The Information Company of Nigeria (NAN) studies that Fowl, an Australian and former Shell govt, assumes workplace in July 2025.
His appointment marks a strategic shift because the refinery scales operations and consolidates its position in Africa’s vitality panorama.
Fowl brings over 17 years’ international expertise, with senior roles throughout Australia, Singapore and the USA.
He beforehand served as Vice President of Shell’s Prelude Floating LNG Undertaking and supported commissioning of the Motiva Refinery in Texas.
In Singapore, he managed Shell’s largest Asian refinery, overseeing over 500,000 bpd and main enlargement initiatives.
He additionally served as Senior Vice President at Santos Ltd. and most lately as Chief Govt Officer of OQ8 in Muscat, Oman.
Edited by Kamal Tayo Oropo
