… begins 72-hr test run ahead of Phase 2 rollout
…restarts after 3 weeks of shutdown, polypropylene, RFCC units set for restart next week
Oredola Adeola
The 650,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Petroleum Refinery has restored its Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) and Motor Spirit (MS) production block to optimal performance and commenced a 72-hour intensive performance test in collaboration with licensor UOP, with remaining processing units scheduled to begin Phase 2 test runs next week.
Advisors Reports gathered that UOP, a subsidiary of Honeywell, is the engineering company that provided licensed process technologies, catalysts, equipment, and technical services to Dangote refinery.
According to a credible source, the CDU had been offline for maintenance since January 24 until last week, while the 72,800 bpd RFCC Gasoline Desulfurizer Unit and the 1,100 MBs/yr Polypropylene Unit Train-1 and Train-2, which have been shut down since December 8, 2025, are currently undergoing maintenance and are scheduled to resume operations next week.
Chief Executive Officer David Bird confirmed the development in a statement issued on Thursday and obtained by Advisors Reports.
According to the company this development is coming on the sideline of a scheduled maintenance exercise on the CDU and MS Block.
These tests are designed to validate operational efficiency and confirm that all critical parameters meet global standards.
Bird noted that the seamless integration and strong performance of the units demonstrate the refinery’s advanced engineering and robust operational capabilities.
“Our teams have demonstrated exceptional precision and expertise in stabilising both the CDU and MS Block, and we are pleased to see them functioning at optimal efficiency.
“This performance testing phase enables us to validate the entire plant under real operating conditions. We are confident that the refinery remains firmly on track to deliver consistent, world class output.
“This milestone underscores the strength, reliability, and engineering quality that define our operations.
“We remain committed to producing high quality refined products that will transform Nigeria’s energy landscape, eliminate import dependence, and position the nation as a net exporter of petroleum products,” he stated.
Bird added that the CDU and MS Block, which comprise the naphtha hydrotreater, isomerisation unit, and reformer unit, are now operating steadily at the full nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.
He further confirmed that all remaining processing units will begin their respective performance test runs in Phase 2, scheduled to commence next week.
Advisors Reports gathered that during the recent festive period, the refinery supplied between 45–50 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) daily.
Dangote emphasised that with the CDU and MS Block now fully restored, the refinery is positioned to comfortably deliver up to 75 million litres of PMS to the domestic market as required.