ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Nigeria has become a major crude supplier to the 30,000-barrels-per-day Dakar Refinery in Senegal, even as Senegal marked its debut as an oil-producing nation last year.
In mid-2024, Senegal started oil production from the Sangomar field, which yields around 100,000 barrels per day of medium sour crude (31° API, 1.0 per cent sulphur), according to a report by industry analyst Kpler.
The report noted that nearly all of this output is exported to Europe, with Spain, Italy, and the Netherlands receiving most of the shipments.
However, despite producing oil, Senegal is unable to supply its only refinery with its own crude.
Data shows that the 30 kbd Dakar Refinery is designed to process lighter, sweeter crude grades, making Sangomar’s heavier and more sulphurous oil unsuitable.
As a result, the refinery now relies on Nigeria’s Erha crude (36° API, 0.2 per cent sulphur), which is better suited to its configuration.
READ ALSO: Dangote Refinery Slams NNPCL For Crude Supply Shortage
Kpler’s report highlighted that in recent months, Nigeria has supplied roughly 30 kbd of Erha crude to Dakar, reinforcing Nigeria’s position as a crucial source for Senegal’s refining operations.
“Kpler stated, ‘Senegal’s 30 kbd Dakar refinery, configured to process lighter, sweeter crudes, is currently running on Nigeria’s Erha crude (36° API, 0.2 per cent sulphur), with imports into Dakar averaging 30 kbd in recent months.’”
Refineries are typically designed to handle specific crude qualities. The Dakar facility was built for light, low-sulphur oil, making Nigerian grades like Erha a perfect fit.
Reports indicate that Sangomar crude would need blending before it could be refined locally.
Nonetheless, Nigerian crude only satisfies part of Senegal’s overall fuel needs.
The country still depends significantly on imported refined products. Between 2024 and 2025, Senegal brought in 90 to 100 kbd of fuels, with up to 60 per cent originating from Russia, mainly gasoil, diesel, and fuel oil.
“To fully meet domestic product demand, Senegal relies heavily on refined imports, particularly from Russia. Of the 90–100 kbd of refined products imported during 2024–2025, 50–60 per cent originated from Russia, mainly gasoil, fuel oil, and diesel,” the report said.
This shows that while Senegal, an oil exporter, depends on Nigeria for crude supply to its refinery, it also relies on Russia for finished petroleum products.
With Phase 2 of Sangomar under consideration which includes 33 additional wells and a projected 2027 start-up Kpler anticipates that Senegal’s crude production and exports will remain stable at around 100 kbd in the coming years.
This would keep Nigeria’s Erha crude and Russian refined products as the two main pillars of Senegal’s domestic energy mix.
Meanwhile, Nigerian refineries continue to express concerns over inadequate crude supply.
The Dangote refinery has disclosed that it is increasingly depending on U.S. crude to sustain daily fuel output.