The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority has revealed a growing reliance by Dangote Petroleum Refinery on imported gasoline blendstock, mainly to boost its refined fuel production, The PUNCH reports.
Latest industry data obtained from the NMDPRA’s Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Statistics for May 2026 and analysed by our correspondent on Sunday showed that the 650,000 barrels-per-day refinery imported about 1.46 billion litres of intermediates and gasoline blendstock between January and May this year, despite receiving volumes of domestic and imported crude oil.
The industry report showed that the refinery continued to supplement crude oil processing with imported intermediates, helping it sustain daily petrol production of 44.7 million litres and achieve an average capacity utilisation of 101.25 per cent in May.
It also indicates that the refinery continued to rely on imported intermediates and gasoline blendstock to optimise production of Premium Motor Spirit despite increased access to crude oil supplies.
The PUNCH reports that gasoline blendstock refers to intermediate petroleum products used in refining operations to produce finished petrol that meets required quality and environmental specifications.
The product, rather than being sold directly to consumers, serves as an intermediate feedstock that is blended with other refinery streams and additives to produce Premium Motor Spirit that meets required quality, octane and environmental specifications.
The blendstocks can be mixed with products generated from crude oil refining to increase petrol output, improve fuel quality and enhance refining flexibility. Common gasoline blendstocks include reformate, alkylate, naphtha and other high-octane blending components.
By introducing gasoline blendstocks into the refining process, a refinery can increase the volume of finished petrol produced without relying solely on crude oil inputs. This can be particularly useful when domestic demand is strong or when refiners seek to maximise returns from specific products.
In the case of Dangote Refinery, the NMDPRA data suggest that imported blendstocks may be helping the facility sustain high petrol output and reach its nameplate capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.
An analysis of the report by our correspondent showed that Dangote Refinery imported 658.31 million litres of gasoline blendstock in January, 306.89 million litres in February, 102.35 million litres in March, 147.37 million litres in April and 240.59 million litres in May.
The cumulative volume imported during the five-month period stood at approximately 1.46 billion litres. The latest data showed that after three consecutive months of decline between January and March, the refinery increased its blendstock intake in April and May, signalling stronger feedstock purchases as production activities expanded.
The May volume of 240.59 million litres represented a 63.3 per cent increase from the 147.37 million litres imported in April. The development comes as the refinery sustained high utilisation rates and continued to dominate Nigeria’s domestic fuel supply market.
According to the NMDPRA report, the refinery operated at an average capacity utilisation of 101.25 per cent in May, underscoring strong operational performance at the facility.
The report further showed that the refinery produced an average of 44.7 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit per day during the month. Out of the total PMS produced, about 41.5 million litres per day were supplied to the domestic market, while closing stock stood at 9.4 million litres.
PUNCH
