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El Samuels: MBN360 News
The Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has officially resumed crude oil refining operations after several years of inactivity, marking a significant milestone in Ghana’s efforts to revitalize the downstream petroleum sector and strengthen national energy security. The refinery’s Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) has restarted operations, processing around 28,000 barrels per stream day.
The resumption follows the successful completion of major Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) works on the CDU, carried out between August 1 and October 30, 2025. The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) conducted comprehensive regulatory inspections and confirmed TOR’s compliance with mandatory safety and operational requirements, granting clearance for the refinery to recommence refining activities.
TOR has installed a new furnace, F-61, which is expected to boost refining capacity to 45,000 barrels per stream day, with plans to further expand to 60,000 barrels per stream day in the medium term. The government is expected to formally commission the new furnace at a later date.
In a statement issued on Saturday, TOR explained that refining operations will initially proceed under a phased approach, ahead of the refinery’s formal recommissioning. This period, the company said, will allow for system stabilisation, performance optimisation and the assurance of sustained operational reliability.
As part of its upgrade programme, TOR has also completed the installation of a new furnace, F-61, which is expected to be commissioned and integrated into the CDU in the coming months.
The installation is projected to restore the refinery’s original nameplate capacity of 45,000 barrels per stream day, up from the current operating level of 28,000 barrels per stream day.
The government of Ghana is expected to formally commission and tie in the F-61 furnace at a later date, with details of the event to be communicated in due course.
TOR expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for what it described as his continued support and leadership in restoring the refinery as a key component of Ghana’s energy infrastructure. The refinery also acknowledged the role of the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr John Abdulai Jinapor, citing his technical oversight and policy leadership as instrumental to the revival process.
The refinery’s revival is expected to reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported petroleum products, stabilize supply, and restore confidence in the country’s downstream petroleum infrastructure.
