Dangote Refinery Set To Become World’s Largest With 1.4 Million-Barrel Expansion

According to Ireporter Online, the Dangote Group has announced an ambitious expansion of its petroleum refinery from its current capacity of 650,000 barrels per day (bpd) to a groundbreaking 1.4 million bpd. The announcement was made by the President of the Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, during a media briefing held in Lagos on Sunday.

Dangote explained that the expansion work will commence immediately, adding that the upgrade will position the facility as the largest oil refinery in the world upon completion — surpassing India’s Jamnagar Refinery, which currently leads with a processing capacity of 1.24 million barrels per day.

Oil refineries, which play a critical role in transforming crude oil into key products that power industries, transport, and households globally, require substantial capital, advanced technology, and technical expertise for efficient operation. The Dangote expansion, therefore, represents not only a milestone for Nigeria but also a strategic boost for global energy production capacity.

Meanwhile, data compiled by Ireporter Online highlights the current ranking of the world’s top 10 largest oil refineries by capacity. The list is dominated by Asian and American facilities, with the Jamnagar Refinery in India holding the top position. Venezuela’s Paraguana Refinery Complex follows closely, while South Korea’s SK Energy Ulsan Complex ranks third.

The full list of the top 10 largest oil refineries in the world is as follows:

1. Jamnagar Refinery, India – Reliance Industries – 1.24 million bpd

2. Paraguana Refinery Complex, Venezuela – PDVSA – 940,000 bpd

3. SK Energy Ulsan Complex, South Korea – SK Energy – 900,000 bpd

4. Yeosu Refinery, South Korea – GS Caltex – 840,000 bpd

5. Ruwais Refinery, UAE – ADNOC – 827,000 bpd

6. Onsan Refinery, South Korea – S-Oil Corporation – 669,000 bpd

7. Dangote Refinery, Nigeria – Dangote Industries – 650,000 bpd (to expand to 1.4 million bpd by 2028)

8. Galveston Bay Refinery, USA – Marathon Petroleum – 631,000 bpd

9. Beaumont Refinery, USA – ExxonMobil – 630,000 bpd

10. Port Arthur Refinery, USA – Motiva Enterprises – 600,000 bpd

Industry analysts have described Dangote’s refinery expansion as a major leap that could redefine Nigeria’s position in the global oil market and strengthen Africa’s energy independence.