The Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has officially resumed crude oil refining operations after several years of inactivity, marking a major breakthrough in Ghana’s efforts to revitalise its downstream petroleum sector and enhance national energy security.
The long-awaited restart follows the successful completion of a comprehensive Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) exercise on the refinery’s Crude Distillation Unit (CDU). The maintenance works, which lasted three months from August 1 to October 30, 2025, involved extensive inspections, repairs, and upgrades to critical systems, all carried out in strict compliance with international engineering, safety, and operational standards.
In a press statement dated December 27, 2025, TOR confirmed that the maintenance programme has restored the refinery to operational readiness and paved the way for a phased return to full production. According to the statement, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) conducted rigorous regulatory inspections after the completion of the TAM and subsequently certified TOR as fully compliant with all mandatory safety and operational requirements.
Following the NPA’s clearance, the refinery has begun crude oil processing and is currently operating at approximately 28,000 barrels per stream day (bpsd). TOR management noted that the facility will continue operating in the coming months to stabilise systems, optimise performance, and ensure sustained reliability ahead of its official recommissioning.
As part of ongoing upgrade efforts, 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 near future. Management indicated that the new furnace is projected to restore the refinery’s original nameplate capacity of 45,000 bpsd.
Looking ahead, TOR has outlined plans to further expand production capacity to 60,000 bpsd in the medium term through the installation of a new air-cooler. The government is expected to formally commission and tie in the F-61 furnace at a later date to be communicated to stakeholders and the general public.
The resumption of refining at TOR is expected to deliver significant benefits to the Ghanaian economy, including improved fuel availability, reduced reliance on imported petroleum products, foreign exchange savings, job creation, and greater stability within the national petroleum supply chain.
TOR management expressed gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama for his leadership and unwavering commitment to restoring the refinery as a critical pillar of Ghana’s energy infrastructure. The company also acknowledged the role of the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, whose policy direction, technical oversight, and hands-on engagement were described as instrumental in bringing the refinery back to operational life.
Commending the board, management, and staff of TOR, the statement praised their resilience, professionalism, and dedication throughout what it described as a challenging but ultimately rewarding revival process.
As operations resume, TOR reaffirmed its commitment to safe, efficient, and sustainable refining operations, positioning the refinery once again as a cornerstone of Ghana’s energy sector and a key driver of downstream petroleum development.
