Dangote Refinery Takes Centre Stage as 98% of Domestic Crude Offers Go to Plant
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery emerged as the dominant recipient of crude offered to Nigeria’s domestic refining sector in the second quarter of 2026, accounting for 98 percent of total crude volumes offered to local refineries under the Federal Government’s Domestic Crude Supply Obligation (DCSO).
Data from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) showed that oil producers offered 69.3 million barrels of crude oil and condensate to domestic refineries between April and June 2026.
Out of the total volume offered, 68.1 million barrels were directed to the Dangote Refinery, which had indicated a requirement for 63 million barrels during the three-month period.
However, the refinery ultimately took delivery of 52.6 million barrels, representing 78 percent of the crude volume offered to it.
NUPRC said the 68.1 million barrels offered to the Dangote facility accounted for 98 percent of the total crude volumes offered to all domestic refineries during the quarter.
The regulator explained that while Dangote Refinery required 63 million barrels during the quarter, producers offered the facility a higher volume of 68.1 million barrels.
The refinery, however, accepted only 52.6 million barrels of the crude offered.
The figures underline the growing importance of the Dangote refinery in Nigeria’s domestic crude market, while also revealing a significant difference between the quantities producers offer, the volumes refiners request and what is eventually purchased.
Meanwhile, total crude oil and condensate deliveries to domestic refineries increased significantly during the quarter.
NUPRC data showed that deliveries climbed to 53.7 million barrels in the second quarter from 28.5 million barrels in the first quarter, representing an 88.4 percent increase.
The rise occurred even though the volume of crude offered by producers remained relatively stable. Producers offered 69.3 million barrels in the second quarter, compared with 68.7 million barrels during the first three months of the year.
According to NUPRC, the stronger delivery performance reflected higher crude production as well as commercial arrangements between oil producers and domestic refiners.
The commission also pointed to long-term crude supply agreements supported by bankable sales and purchase agreements as part of the factors improving crude deliveries to local refineries.
The latest data further highlight the application of the “willing buyer, willing seller” principle under the DCSO framework, indicating that crude offered to domestic refiners does not automatically translate into actual purchases.
With the Dangote refinery accounting for nearly all crude volumes offered to domestic refiners during the quarter, its growing influence is reshaping the structure of Nigeria’s domestic refining and crude supply market.
