List of Nigeria’s Refineries and their Locations

Nigeria, Africa’s largest oil producer, has several refineries that are crucial to its oil and gas industry. Despite the numerous challenges the sector has faced, including underutilization and maintenance issues, these refineries remain vital for domestic petroleum production. Over the years, efforts have been made to revitalize and upgrade these facilities to reduce Nigeria’s reliance on imported refined products. Below is a comprehensive overview of Nigeria’s key refineries, highlighting their locations, capacities, and recent developments.

1. Kaduna Refinery

The Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company, established in 1980 at a cost of $525 million, serves Northern Nigeria’s petroleum product needs. Initially, the refinery had a capacity of 50,000 barrels per day (bpd). In 1983, a second unit with an additional capacity of 50,000 bpd was added to produce lubricating oils, doubling the refinery’s capacity to 100,000 bpd. By 1986, the initial unit’s capacity was further increased to 60,000 bpd, bringing the total refining capacity to 110,000 bpd. Despite its age, the Kaduna refinery remains an essential asset in Nigeria’s oil industry.

2. Port Harcourt Refineries

Old Port Harcourt Refinery: The original Port Harcourt refinery, constructed and commissioned in 1965, was built with a refining capacity of 60,000 bpd. Funded by Shell BP at a cost of around £12 million, the refinery operated at over 50% of its designed capacity during its early years. However, its output gradually declined throughout the 1990s. In March 2021, the Nigerian government awarded a repair contract to Tecnimont SPA, an Italian company, to revitalize the refinery in phases. By December 2023, the mechanical completion and flare startup of the refinery were announced by the Minister of Petroleum Resources.

New Port Harcourt Refinery: Commissioned in 1985 at a cost of $850 million, the New Port Harcourt refinery boasts a refining capacity of 150,000 bpd. The addition of this refinery increased the total refining capacity of the Port Harcourt complex to 210,000 bpd.

3. Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company (WRPC)

The Warri Refinery, located in Delta State, was commissioned in 1978 with a nameplate distillation capacity of 125,000 bpd. It is a complex conversion refinery that includes a petrochemicals plant, commissioned in 1988, with production capacities of 13,000 million tons per annum (MTA) of polypropylene and 18,000 MTA of carbon black. The refinery primarily serves markets in Nigeria’s south and southwest regions.

4. Waltersmith Refining and Petrochemical Company

Located in Imo State, the Waltersmith Refinery began operations in 2020 as a 5,000 bpd oil refinery. The company has ambitious plans to increase its capacity to 50,000 bpd in the coming years, which would significantly enhance its contribution to Nigeria’s domestic refining capabilities.

5. Dangote Refinery

The Dangote Petroleum Refinery, located in the Lekki Free Zone near Lagos, is a game-changer for Nigeria’s oil sector. With a capacity of 650,000 bpd, this $19 billion integrated refinery project is the largest in Africa. Commissioned in May 2023, the refinery began oil refining in December 2023 and started dispensing products to local and international markets by September 2024.

6. Azikel Refinery

Situated in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, the Azikel Refinery is the first private hydro-skimming refinery in Nigeria. The modular refinery, currently under development, will have a total production capacity of 12,000 bpd. It is designed to process Bonny Light crude and Gbarain condensate to produce high-quality petroleum products, including several secondary products.

7. Ogbele Refinery

The Ogbele Refinery commenced operations in 2012 as a 1,000 bpd topping plant, producing 85,860 liters of diesel daily from 540 bpd of crude oil. In 2019, a second 5,000 bpd train was added, expanding the refinery’s capacity to an 11,000 bpd three-train facility. This facility can produce diesel, marine diesel, dual-purpose kerosene (DPK), naphtha, and high-pour fuel oil.

8. Edo Refinery and Petrochemical Company

The Edo Refinery, operated by AIPCC Energy, currently runs at 1,000 bpd and 5,000 bpd capacities in two phases. Phase 2 construction, with a planned capacity of 12,000 bpd, is underway and expected to be fully operational in 2024.

9. Duport Midstream

The Duport Midstream Refinery is a 2,500 bpd modular refinery operated by Duport Midstream Company Limited (DMCL) in Egbokor, Orhionmwon Local Government Area, Edo State. This facility plays a crucial role in enhancing local refining capacity.

10. OPAC Refinery

Located in Kwale, Delta State, the OPAC Refinery is a 10,000 bpd modular facility completed in 2021 as part of Nigeria’s initiative to boost regional crude oil refining.

11. Niger Delta Petroleum Refinery (Aradel)

Aradel is a 3-train, 11,000 bpd modular refinery that produces various petroleum products, including automotive gas oil, dual-purpose kerosene, marine diesel oil, high-pour fuel oil, and naphtha.

12. Alexis Refinery Limited

Alexis Refinery Limited is developing a state-of-the-art 10,000 bpd modular refinery in Delta State. The refinery will be built in phases, with the first phase currently underway, aiming to process 2,500 bpd of locally available crude to produce AGO, naphtha, and fuel oil.

13. Atlantic International Refineries and Petrochemical Limited

In 2021, the Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board announced the construction of a 2,000 bpd modular refinery in Brass, Bayelsa State. This refinery is being developed by Atlantic International Refinery and Petrochemical Limited in partnership with the board, further enhancing Nigeria’s refining capabilities.

Conclusion

Nigeria’s refinery landscape is diverse, comprising both large-scale and modular facilities that contribute significantly to the nation’s domestic oil production. While challenges remain, the ongoing efforts to upgrade and expand these refineries demonstrate Nigeria’s commitment to boosting its refining capacity, reducing its reliance on imported products, and strengthening its position in the global oil market. As these projects come to fruition, they will play a critical role in shaping the future of Nigeria’s oil and gas sector.