Domestic refineries’ crude oil imports surged by 151.5 per cent to 5.13 million barrels in July 2026, from 2.04 million barrels in June, as local crude supplies to refineries fell sharply, according to data from the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA).
The latest NMDPRA Midstream and Downstream Statistics showed that domestic refineries received 17.88 million barrels of crude in July, comprising 12.75 million barrels supplied locally and 5.13 million barrels imported.
Imported crude consequently accounted for 28.7 per cent of total crude receipts by domestic refineries during the month, while domestic supplies contributed 71.3 per cent.
The July import figure marked a significant rebound from the 2.04 million barrels recorded in June and 2.08 million barrels in May. It was, however, below the 9.43 million barrels recorded in March, the highest monthly crude import volume so far in 2026.
Crude imports stood at 0.71 million barrels in January before rising sharply to 4.25 million barrels in February and peaking at 9.43 million barrels in March.
Imports subsequently plunged to 0.41 million barrels in April, before recovering to 2.08 million barrels in May, 2.04 million barrels in June and 5.13 million barrels in July.
Domestic crude supply falls 25.4%
The increase in imported crude came against a sharp decline in domestic supplies to refineries.
According to the NMDPRA, domestic crude deliveries fell by 25.4 per cent month-on-month, from 17.08 million barrels in June to 12.75 million barrels in July.
Monthly data showed that domestic refineries received 8.83 million barrels of locally supplied crude and 0.71 million barrels of imports in January, bringing total receipts to 9.54 million barrels.
In February, total crude receipts increased to 13.13 million barrels, comprising 8.88 million barrels of domestic crude and 4.25 million barrels of imports.
March recorded the highest total crude receipts at 20.92 million barrels, with domestic supplies accounting for 11.49 million barrels and imports contributing 9.43 million barrels.
Total receipts stood at 18.37 million barrels in April, comprising 17.96 million barrels of domestic crude and 0.41 million barrels of imports.
In May, refineries received 17.92 million barrels, made up of 15.84 million barrels of domestic crude and 2.08 million barrels of imports.
The figure rose to 19.12 million barrels in June, comprising 17.08 million barrels of domestic crude and 2.04 million barrels of imported crude.
Dangote Refinery operates at 71.09% capacity
Meanwhile, the NMDPRA data showed that the Dangote Refinery operated at an average capacity utilisation of 71.09 per cent in July.
The refinery produced an average of 25.9 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), 19.1 million litres of Automotive Gas Oil (AGO) and 15.6 million litres of Aviation Turbine Kerosene (ATK) daily during the month.
Its average domestic supplies stood at 25.8 million litres per day for PMS, 15.7 million litres for AGO and 1.9 million litres for ATK.
The refinery also exported an average of 3.4 million litres of PMS, 11 million litres of AGO and 11.6 million litres of ATK per day as of July 31.
At the end of July, its closing stock stood at 446.1 million litres of PMS, 162.3 million litres of AGO and 217.4 million litres of ATK.
