Azikel Refinery nears completion in Bayelsa, targets 25,000 bpd petrol output

The Azikel Refinery in Bayelsa State is almost complete and set to boost domestic production of petrol, diesel and aviation fuel. The Nigerian Society of Engineers has described the $1 billion project as a world-class engineering feat capable of driving industrialisation and job creation across the Niger Delta.

Engineers inspect project, praise quality

Members of the Nigerian Society of Engineers, NSE, Bayelsa State Branch, visited the refinery complex in Yenagoa and assessed its engineering and construction progress. The branch chairman, Mac Jokori, said the project had met high engineering standards and marked a significant milestone for Nigeria's refining industry.

The refinery is now at the finishing stage and is designed to process both crude oil and condensate as feedstock, giving it broader production capability than simpler topping plants.

"As engineers, we recognise that a refinery of this scale is more than a commercial venture," Jokori said. He described the facility as an engine of industrialisation and a platform for developing local technical skills.

More than 700 engineers and other workers are currently engaged on the project, creating employment and opportunities for skills development.

Hydro-skimming refinery, not a topping plant

President of Azikel Group, Dr Azibapu Eruani, said the extended construction timeline was due to engineering upgrades, redesign and the complexity of developing a full hydro-skimming refinery. The refinery was originally licensed in 2015, but underwent extensive value engineering that increased its planned capacity to 25,000 barrels per day and pushed total investment to about $1 billion.

The facility is designed to produce Premium Motor Spirit, commonly known as petrol, alongside diesel, aviation fuel, kerosene and liquefied petroleum gas. Eruani said it could eventually be expanded to 125,000 barrels per day as demand and investment conditions permit.

Eruani pushed back against comparisons between the project and topping plants, stressing that hydro-skimming refineries have broader processing capabilities. While topping plants primarily separate crude into basic petroleum products, hydro-skimming facilities can produce a wider range of refined products, including petrol and aviation fuel.

He described Azikel as Nigeria's second-largest full-slate refinery, designed to process condensate into petrol, dual-purpose kerosene, automotive gas oil and heavy fuel oil.

Industrial catalyst for Niger Delta

Beyond fuel production, the project is positioned as a major industrial catalyst for Bayelsa and the wider Niger Delta. Eruani said the refinery would create jobs, transfer technical knowledge and stimulate economic activity while helping transform Bayelsa into an industrial hub.

The NSE pledged technical collaboration with the project through internships, mentorship, research partnerships and capacity-building programmes.

With Azikel moving towards commissioning, its entry into the domestic refining market will add another significant source of locally produced petrol and other fuels. This complements output from Nigeria's larger refineries and strengthens the country's drive to reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.