Crude oil deliveries to Nigeria’s 650,000 barrels-per-day Dangote Petroleum Refinery fell sharply in January, dropping to their lowest level in 16 months, according to vessel-tracking data monitored by Argus.
The refinery received an estimated 250,000 bpd of crude in January, down from about 350,000 bpd in December. The decline marks the weakest monthly intake since September 2024, reflecting reduced processing activity during scheduled maintenance.
Lower receipts coincided with planned work on the refinery’s crude distillation unit (CDU). No crude cargoes discharged at the Lekki facility between January 20 and January 30, constraining overall intake for the month.
By comparison, crude receipts at Dangote averaged slightly above 410,000 bpd in 2025. The refinery began receiving crude intermittently toward the end of 2023, with deliveries stabilising from March 2024.
Qua Iboe Leads January Supply Mix
Nigeria’s Qua Iboe crude accounted for the largest share of January deliveries, supplying close to 100,000 bpd. Utapate followed at roughly 35,000 bpd, while Forcados, Amenam, and Bonny Light each contributed about 30,000 bpd. The refinery also received around 25,000 bpd of US West Texas Intermediate (WTI).
The January WTI cargo marked the first US crude delivery to Dangote since October.
Last year represented the refinery’s first full year of operations, during which Dangote Group exceeded its initial first-phase processing target of 350,000 bpd. In 2025, WTI emerged as the single largest crude grade processed, averaging about 130,000 bpd. Bonny Light ranked as the most frequently supplied Nigerian grade at 70,000 bpd, followed by Forcados at 45,000 bpd.
Dangote Group has since announced plans to expand refining capacity beyond the current phase.
Crude Quality and February Recovery Signals
Argus assessed the refinery’s January crude slate at a weighted average of 37.7 degrees API and 0.1 percent sulphur. This compares with 35.9 degrees API and 0.2 percent sulphur in December. Over 2025, average receipts measured 36.8 degrees API and 0.2 percent sulphur, marginally lighter than the estimated 36.2 degrees API and 0.2 percent sulphur recorded between March and December 2024.
Crude delivery momentum appears to be improving in February. About one million barrels of Forcados crude discharged at the refinery on February 1. Another one million barrels of WTI is currently positioned near the refinery’s single-point mooring (SPM) for discharge.
In addition, two tankers are signalling arrival with approximately one million barrels of Amenam crude, followed by a very large crude carrier, KHK Majesty, expected to deliver one million barrels each of Bonga and Bonny Light. Both vessels appear to have arrived later than initially scheduled, having first signalled arrival around January 1.
Another one million barrels of WTI is also en route and is expected to arrive at the Dangote refinery on February 10.
