The Federal Government announced on Tuesday its intention to grant a comprehensive operating license to the Dangote Petroleum Refinery, capable of processing 650,000 barrels per day.
This announcement was made during the Stakeholders’ Consultation Forum on Midstream and Petroleum Host Community Development Trust Regulations held in Abuja by the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority.
Despite awarding a pre-commissioning license to the $20 billion refinery, the NMDPRA clarified that a complete operating license is forthcoming.
The refinery, inaugurated by former President Muhammadu Buhari in May 2023, has begun supplying Automotive Gas Oil (diesel) to the domestic market since April of this year, but is yet to release Premium Motor Spirit (petrol).
Farouk Ahmed, Chief Executive of NMDPRA, affirmed during the forum that the authority is committed to issuing the full operating license to the Dangote refinery imminently.
He stated, “We have issued three refineries with three valid licenses. We awarded Dangote refinery even in their pre-commissioning and sooner than later they will have full commission and a valid license to also operate.”
Ahmed further disclosed that 15 gas facilities across the nation possess valid licenses, with additional facilities undergoing processing.
In the downstream sector, there are over 1,199 facilities with NMDPRA valid licenses, and more than 176 operators hold gas import permits. Additionally, there are 130 depots and over 69 coastal vessels with valid licenses.
“In the gas processing facility within the midstream, there are about 15 of them with valid licences. And much is under processing. If you go to the downstream sector, in the gas state of the downstream, more than 1,199 facilities have NMDPRA valid licences.
“More than 176 operators hold gas import permits. In the liquid licensing side of the downstream, there are 130 depots with valid licences and coastal vessels of more than 69 valid licences as of today. And in the retail outlets, we have 9,464 licensed retail outlets as of 10 am today, April 30,” Ahmed stated.