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Stranded cargo shows credit difficulties at Nigeria's Dangote refinery

Chinese state energy significant PetroChina has been waiting to discharge a freight of U.S. crude at Nigeria's giant brand-new refinery for nearly a month due to payment problems, according to four trading sources and shipping data.

The impasse highlights difficulties the $20 billion plant moneyed by Africa's richest guy Aliko Dangote faces in its aim to be the most significant refinery on the continent and in Europe when it reaches full capacity this or next year.

Dangote intends to reverse the pattern by which the oil-rich nation exports its crude but almost totally counts on imports of fuel and other refined items.

The 2-million-barrel West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude cargo shipped by PetroChina onboard supertanker Maran Mira has, nevertheless, been drifting off Nigeria since March 28, delivering information on LSEG and Kpler showed.

The conclusion of the oil sale from PetroChina to Dangote has actually been delayed as the refinery has yet to issue a letter of credit to the Chinese trader, one source familiar with the matter stated.

A letter of credit is the most typical type of trade financing. A purchaser's bank sends a letter to the seller's bank guaranteeing payment to the seller once products show up.

PetroChina was likewise not keen to receive oil products as payment, one of the ways that Dangote has actually been spending for its crude, the source said.

Two of the sources likewise told that the refinery has had problem accessing dollars through the Nigerian federal government, with the naira's slide versus the U.S. dollar as international oil rates have increased straining Nigeria's finances.

The federal government did not instantly respond to an ask for remark and a Dangote executive did not directly resolve the problem in comments to .

PetroChina has another 2 million barrels of WTI crude onboard supertanker Kondor that is making its way to Nigeria, according to another source and LSEG shiptracking data.

Possible sellers of U.S. WTI crude to Dangote have actually been faced with challenging payment terms: either a 60 to 90 credit or an exchange of improved items for the petroleum, three of the sources stated. Credit terms for oil offers are usually one month.

PetroChina did not respond to a ask for comment.

A shipbroker estimated that the ship is incurring demurrage expenses of around $65,000 a day.

Dangote group executive Edwin Devakumar informed that looking for favourable list price and credit terms were typical business practices.

If somebody gives me one year credit, I'll grab it and if not, I'll negotiate the very best possible offer, he stated. When you go to a shop to buy something ... You'll try the best possible deal and I do the very same.

We are not delayed. If somebody's business is postponed, he is not providing us a good deal, Devakumar said, without particularly resolving the problem with PetroChina.

INCREASE

The refinery began operations in January and has reached half its capability in recent weeks however a more boost is being slowed by its requirement to borrow billions of dollars in working capital to be able to buy large volumes of crude, trading sources said.

Devakumar declined to talk about the present run rates at the refinery.

The facility is importing around 10 crude oil freights a. month, two traders said, approximately half the capacity of 650,000. barrels daily (bpd) it seeks to reach this year or next, which. would make it the largest refinery in Africa and Europe.

The amount of Nigerian and U.S. unrefined discharged at Dangote. totalled 8.4 million barrels in March and 5.4 million barrels so. far in April, Kpler data revealed. Another 1 million barrels of. Nigerian crude is expected to get here on April 27.

Trafigura, Mercuria, Vitol, Shell and NNPC were amongst. Dangote's providers of crude last month, according to Kpler.

(source: Reuters)