Several Nigerian media sources have reported that Nigeria’s Dangote Refinery has turned to Libyan crude oil supplies.
They report that the refinery is now processing Libya’s Sharara-grade crude to make up for the shortfall of local crude supplies and to keep its processing volumes continuing.
Dangote Refinery is also sourcing other African crude feedstock, reducing its dependence on Nigerian grades as it ramps up imports from Libya and other African producers to sustain high operating rates.
The Nigerian media reports say Libya’s Sharara has emerged as a key component of the refinery’s feedstock mix. July marked the third consecutive month that Dangote received the light sweet grade after taking its first cargo in May.
Another one-million-barrel cargo of Sharara-grade is expected to arrive this week, reinforcing the refinery’s growing preference for North African crude.
The increased use of Libyan barrels also coincides with the disappearance of US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) from the refinery’s import slate, the reports say.
Libya’s ‘’sweet’’ crude oil
It will be recalled that Libya produces primarily high-quality light and ‘‘sweet’’ crude oil grades with low sulphur content.
Its major export grades include Es Sider, El Sharara, Sarir/Mesla, Brega, Zueitina, Bu Attifel, and Amna. These have API gravities ranging from high-30s to mid-44s.
API gravity
API gravity is a measure of how heavy or light a petroleum liquid is compared to water. Developed by the American Petroleum Institute (API), higher degrees indicate lighter oil that floats on water, while lower degrees mean heavier, denser oil. Water has an API gravity of 10°.
Light crude makes it more valuable because it flows easily, requires less energy to transport, and yields more high-profit products like gasoline and diesel during simple refining