Aviation fuel imports crash by 8,000bpd
The Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reduced the importation of aviation into Nigeria from 13,000 barrels per day in 2023 to 5,000bpd in 2024, a report by Energy Intelligence has said.
According to the report, Dangote refinery is supplying the bulk of domestic jet deliveries, less than six months after it began production.
Dangote jet fuel now makes up at least two-thirds of Nigeria’s jet fuel supply and almost half of the fuel used across West Africa, according to Energy Intelligence calculations.
“Nigeria’s jet fuel imports have collapsed from 13,000 b/d last year — when they made up all of the country’s supply — to just 5,000 b/d so far in 2024. Jet imports into West Africa from outside of the region have similarly dropped from 34,500 b/d in 2023 to just 17,900 b/d so far this year. Loading schedules show Dangote jet heading to Benin, Senegal, Togo, the Gambia, and Gabon in the region,” the report stated.
Dangote was said to have shipped 1.1 million tonnes (35,000 b/d) of jet fuel overseas since it began exports in March, according to Kpler tanker tracking.
That includes almost 290,000 tonnes of JetA1 sent to Europe and 315,000 tonnes to South America, with the rest mostly staying in West Africa.
“Exports have tailed off slightly since September in line with higher domestic sales. Energy Intelligence calculates that since April an additional 94,000 tonnes of Dangote jet (fuel) has been shipped to other ports in Nigeria, mainly Lagos.
“The refinery’s management had previously suggested around three-quarters of Dangote jet production would be sold by sea with the rest loaded onto road tankers heading inland,” the report revealed.
Asharami Synergy’s Managing Director, Foluso Sobanjo, had told Energy Intelligence that Dangote’s price is slightly lower or at least the same price as imports.
Sobanjo disclosed that Dangote jet fuel currently goes for a $2-$3 per metric tonne discount to imports.
He pointed out that the 10,000-20,000 tonnes “coaster” volumes available regularly from the plant are also much more convenient.
“Prices have fallen as the plant has ramped up production — despite large volumes of Mideast and Asian jet fuel passing right by the Nigerian coast on the way to Europe. Sources say Dangote is now operating at more than 300,000 b/d and finally began selling gasoline last month,” the report added.
Sobanjo also corrected local press reports that Dangote had started selling jet fuel locally in naira.
