Dangote Refinery Delays PMS Release Again
The highly anticipated release of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) from the Dangote Petroleum Refinery has been delayed once more. Despite earlier projections to begin production between August 10 and 12, 2024, the refinery is now expected to roll out PMS later this month.
According to Punch, quoting insider sources, the mega refinery is all set to begin production later this month.
“All is set. The refinery will roll out petrol this month. However, its concern is that the refinery cannot stop for one minute; it needs a constant supply of crude to keep going,” the newspaper quoted an anonymous official.
Dangote Refinery is awaiting 29 million barrels of crude oil from the Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC), but only six cargoes have been supplied so far. This shortage may force the refinery to import additional crude, further delaying the release of PMS.
On August 9, the 650,000-barrel refinery expressed frustration in a statement over the failure of International Oil Companies (IOCs) to comply with NUPRC’s directives and supply the facility with the crude oil needed to run it.
“Our concern has always been that NUPRC is pushing, but IOCs are not following the instructions to enforce the domestic crude supply obligation and ensure that we receive our full crude requirement from NNPC and the IOCs,” Anthony Chiejina, Group Chief, Branding and Communications Officer, said in the statement.
Despite the challenges, sources confirmed to Punch that the sale of PMS will commence this month.
“I can confirm to you that we will start the sale of PMS this August, although the low supply of crude oil has always been affecting the process. But from the information at my disposal, we are 100 percent ready for the supply of PMS.”
