Dangote entrusts refinery expansion to former Shell executive

Dangote Group appoints David Bird, former Shell executive, as head of its Refining and Petrochemicals division to accelerate regional growth and open up equity to Nigerian investors.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Dangote Group has officially appointed David Bird, former Shell executive and ex-managing director of the OQ8 refinery in Oman, as Chief Executive Officer of its Refining and Petrochemicals division. This decision comes as the company increases the ramp-up of its Lagos complex, valued at $20bn, aiming to strengthen its influence on the African refining market.

International experience and industrial strategy

David Bird has more than thirty years of experience in the oil sector. At Shell, he notably led the Prelude Floating LNG project, worth $12bn. His arrival at the helm of the Refining and Petrochemicals division comes as the Lagos complex is progressing through its start-up phase, facing technical challenges, including design flaws and unit shutdowns. To address these issues, the site has diversified its crude supply to stabilise production.

Bird indicated that his priorities would be to optimise refinery performance and develop the group’s pan-African presence. This is a major issue for the return on investment and for Dangote’s position in West Africa.

Equity opening and site upgrade

Aliko Dangote announced that refinery shareholding would be opened to Nigerian investors, after being questioned about the role of foreign partners in the project. The group plans to list its Refining and Petrochemicals division on both the Lagos and London Stock Exchanges, without specifying a timeline for the dual listing.

At the same time, a capacity expansion is underway: the stated objective is to increase production from 650,000 to 700,000 barrels per day by the end of 2025. This development is expected to strengthen the Lagos site’s impact on regional fuel import flows, which have traditionally been dominated by Europe.

Reshaping African petroleum trade

The increase in production capacity at the Lagos refinery has already begun to disrupt established trade routes. Annual fuel exports from Europe, estimated at $17bn to Africa, could decrease as Dangote increases its market share. The sector is closely monitoring the decisions made by the new management, as the operational success of the complex is seen as a major issue for regional oil supply.

David Bird, new Chief Executive Officer, stated that the focus would be on industrial performance and adapting to the requirements of the African market. Investors are following with interest the implementation of the announced strategy and its effects on the balance of the continental oil sector.

Cenovus Energy adjusts its MEG Energy acquisition offer to $30 per share and signs a voting support agreement with Strathcona Resources, while selling assets worth up to CAD150mn.
Iraq is negotiating a potential revision of its OPEC production limit while maintaining exports at around 3.6 million barrels per day despite significantly higher capacity.
Le Premier ministre hongrois se rendra à Washington pour discuter avec Donald Trump des sanctions américaines contre le pétrole russe, dans un contexte de guerre en Ukraine et de dépendance persistante de la Hongrie aux hydrocarbures russes.
Nigerian tycoon Aliko Dangote plans to expand his refinery’s capacity to 1.4 million barrels per day, reshaping regional energy dynamics through an unmatched private-sector project in Africa.
COOEC has signed a $4bn EPC contract with QatarEnergy to develop the offshore Bul Hanine oil field, marking the largest order ever secured by a Chinese company in the Gulf.
The group terminates commitments for the Odin and Hild rigs in Mexico, initially scheduled through November 2025 and March 2026, due to sanctions affecting an involved counterparty, while reaffirming compliance with applicable international frameworks.
Shell has filed an appeal against the cancellation of its environmental authorisation for Block 5/6/7 off the South African coast, aiming to continue exploration in a geologically strategic offshore zone.
The Greek government has selected a consortium led by Chevron to explore hydrocarbons in four maritime zones in the Ionian Sea and south of Crete, with geophysical surveys scheduled to begin in 2026.
Algerian company Sonatrach has resumed exploration activities in Libya's Ghadames Basin, halted since 2014, as part of a strategic revival of the country's oil sector.
The Indian refiner segments campaigns, strengthens documentary traceability and adjusts contracts to secure certified shipments to the European Union, while redirecting ineligible volumes to Africa and the Americas based on market conditions.
US authorities have authorised a unit at Talen Energy’s Wagner plant in Maryland to operate beyond regulatory limits until the end of 2025 to strengthen grid reliability.
Gran Tierra Energy has signed a crude oil sale agreement with a $200mn prepayment and amended its Colombian credit facility to improve financial flexibility.
Operations at BP’s 440,000 barrel-per-day Whiting refinery have resumed following a temporary shutdown caused by a power outage and a minor fire incident.
The European Union targets a trading subsidiary and a refinery linked to China National Petroleum Corporation, tightening access to financial and insurance services without disrupting pipeline deliveries, with reallocations expected in settlements, insurance, and logistics. —
Viktor Orban says he is working to bypass recent US sanctions targeting Rosneft and Lukoil, underscoring Hungary’s continued reliance on Russian hydrocarbons.
Traceability requirements from the EU (European Union) on fuel origin are reshaping Indian refined flows, with a shift toward Africa and Brazil supported by local premiums and a decline in Russian exports.
U.S. sanctions targeting Rosneft and Lukoil trigger a rebound in oil, while the European Union prepares a clampdown on liquefied natural gas and maritime logistics, with immediate repercussions for markets and Russia’s export chain.
Ten days before COP30, Brazil awarded five offshore oil blocks for over $19mn, confirming its deepwater development strategy despite environmental criticism.
Tripoli mise sur des partenariats avec des majors et jusqu’à 4 milliards $ d’investissements pour relancer sa production pétrolière, malgré un climat politique divisé.
Niger hardens its stance on energy sovereignty but avoids breaking with China National Petroleum Corporation, its main oil industry partner, in order to safeguard export revenues.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25€/month*

*billed annually at 99€/year for the first year then 149,00€/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2€/month*
then 14.90€ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.