Massive Scandal: 19 Dangote Refinery Propane Trucks Vanish Without a Trace

The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) and the Dangote Petroleum Refinery are embroiled in a legal and regulatory dispute centered on the distribution and use of propane. The core of the conflict emerged from NMDPRA's allegation that 19 trucks carrying propane from the Dangote Refinery could not be accounted for, prompting a directive to suspend propane loading and movement by truck from the facility. Dangote Refinery, in response, has accused the regulator of abusing its powers.

Propane, a highly flammable gas derived from crude oil and natural gas processing, is commonly blended with butane to produce liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), widely known as cooking gas. The dispute escalated to the Federal High Court in Lagos, where NMDPRA sought to discharge an interim order that prevented it from enforcing the suspension.

NMDPRA's investigation was initiated after laboratory tests on LPG samples from three plants – Selai, Tewa, and Ameego Pago – reportedly showed propane content exceeding 50 percent. Regulatory standards dictate that an LPG blend should contain no more than 20 percent propane, with approximately 80 percent butane. The regulator stated that representatives from these three plants identified Sublime Oil and Gas Limited, an off-taker from Dangote Refinery, as their source of propane.

Further into its investigation, NMDPRA alleged that Sublime lifted 25 trucks of propane from the refinery on August 20 and 22 for delivery to Navgas/Agasco, but Navgas confirmed receiving only six, leaving 19 trucks unaccounted for. Additionally, records from Delta State reportedly indicated another off-taker loaded 52 trucks between May and August 2026 for delivery to Navgas, none of which Navgas claimed to have received.

These alleged diversions raised significant safety concerns for NMDPRA, as they could lead to the production of LPG mixtures with dangerously high propane content. The regulator also highlighted that propane produced by Dangote and other gas processing facilities had a vapor pressure of approximately 13 bar, significantly higher than the maximum of seven bar for the standard propane and butane LPG mixture. NMDPRA warned that LPG plants not designed to handle such elevated pressures could face an increased risk of explosion.

NMDPRA officials reported being denied access when they attempted to inspect propane loading operations and records at Dangote Refinery on August 24. This led to the issuance of a notice of potential non-compliance and the directive to suspend propane loading and movement by truck while the investigation continued and additional safety measures were considered.

In court, NMDPRA, through its counsel Matthew Burkaa, argued that Dangote obtained the August 31 interim court order through alleged misrepresentation and suppression of material facts. Dangote Refinery's counsel, Wale Akoni, SAN, requested an adjournment to respond to NMDPRA's counter-affidavit, stating it was served in court that day. Justice Akintayo Aluko acknowledged the impending end of his assignment as a vacation judge on Friday, stating his jurisdiction would cease. Despite this, the court extended its interim order preventing NMDPRA from interfering with the refinery's operations, holding that it "shall continue to subsist and shall be in force till the hearing and determination of the motion on notice, or until the court gives further directive." The judge directed the case file to be returned to the registry for assignment to a regular court. It is important to note that the allegations against Dangote Refinery and its off-takers have not yet been determined by the court, and the interim order remains in force pending further proceedings.