Dangote Refinery Has Sufficient Jet Fuel for Global Markets—CEO David Bird

By Adedapo Adesanya

The chief executive of Dangote Refinery, Mr David Bird, has said the 650,000-barrel-per-day plant has a surplus of jet fuel to serve the global markets, amid continued disruptions caused by tensions in the Middle East.

“We’re very grateful ​to be seen as a reliable, high-quality and dependable ⁠supplier able to land our product competitively all over the ​world,” Mr Bird said at the S&P Global Energy Middle East ​Petroleum and Gas Conference in London, as per Reuters.

Jet fuel has been one of the fuels most acutely affected by the Iran war and closure of the Strait of ​Hormuz, where over 20 per cent of the world’s crude and Liquified Natural Gas (LNG).

The development has led to market opportunities for refiners based outside the Gulf region, such ​as Dangote, to supply global markets.

Mr Bird said the refinery is ‌currently ⁠running flat out at nameplate capacity and is planning what the executive described as a “ruthless replication” project to double capacity.

“We will bring 700,000 barrels per day of fully complex refining capacity on stream by ​the end of ​2028,” Mr Bird ⁠said.

He added that long-lead items have been purchased and the company is in the process of ​awarding construction contracts.

The group could then lift refining ​capacity ⁠to 2.1 million barrels per day with another refinery planned in East Africa, helping it to become a significant player in crude and refined products ⁠flows, ​Mr Bird said.

He also said the Dangote Refinery, which commenced operations in 2024, has helped Nigeria’s domestic market, with the country having gone from fuel scarcity ​to absolute fuel abundance since the $20 billion refinery came online.

Last month, Mr Bird revealed that the refinery was the world’s largest exporter of jet fuel in April, with S&P Global Commodities at Sea data showing that the refinery recorded a surge in aviation fuel exports after the escalation of conflict in the Middle East altered established shipping and supply patterns across key markets.