The affected unit, known as the residue fluid catalytic cracker (RFCC), is a crucial component of the refinery’s gasoline production process. With a processing capacity of around 200,000 barrels per day, the RFCC plays a central role in the output of finished fuels. It remains unclear exactly when the maintenance work began or how long it is expected to last.
Bloomberg noted that the refinery’s crude distillation unit (CDU) — responsible for the initial stage of processing crude oil into various components — remains operational and unaffected by the RFCC maintenance.
Although the RFCC is not the sole facility used in producing gasoline at the 650,000 barrel-per-day Dangote refinery, it is significant enough that any prolonged outage is likely to affect regional fuel trade flows. Prior to the shutdown, the refinery was supplying approximately 18.4 million liters (about 115,000 barrels) of gasoline per day to the domestic Nigerian market.
Adding to signs of disruption, analytics firm Kpler reported that no gasoline or diesel exports have been recorded from Dangote since April 14. In a related development, the Lagos port recently received a large shipment of gasoline from India, marking the first such import cargo since 2022 — a potential indication that domestic supply shortfalls are being offset by imports.
The RFCC was earlier reported to be slated for maintenance work in June, suggesting that either the schedule was brought forward or unforeseen issues prompted an earlier intervention.
The Dangote refinery — widely regarded as Africa’s largest and most ambitious refining project — had recently ramped up production, with plans to transform Nigeria from a net importer of refined fuels into a self-sufficient producer and exporter. However, the current maintenance underscores the challenges of stabilizing early operations at such a large and complex facility.
Officials from Dangote Industries have not yet commented publicly on the maintenance or its expected duration.
Would you like me to also create a brief newsflash version (like a fast update for media outlets) too?
(Example: Dangote Refinery’s Gasoline Unit Offline for Maintenance, No Fuel Exports Since Mid-April)