The Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has resumed crude oil refining after being largely inactive for several years, marking a significant milestone in the effort to revive Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector.
The restart follows the successful completion of major Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) works on the refinery’s Crude Distillation Unit (CDU), which were carried out between August 1 and October 30, 2025.
According to TOR, the maintenance was completed on schedule and met international engineering, safety, and operational standards.
After the maintenance exercise, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA conducted regulatory inspections and approved the refinery to resume operations, confirming that all required safety and operational conditions had been satisfied.
TOR is adopting a phased approach to full operations, using the coming months to stabilise systems and optimise performance ahead of its official recommissioning. Management says this strategy is intended to ensure long-term reliability and sustainable operations.
In addition, the refinery has completed the installation of a new furnace, known as F-61, which is expected to be commissioned soon and integrated into the CDU.
Once operational, the furnace will increase TOR’s refining capacity from the current 28,000 barrels per stream day to its original nameplate capacity of 45,000 barrels per stream day.
There are also plans to expand capacity further to 60,000 barrels per stream day in the medium term.
The Government of Ghana is expected to formally commission the new furnace at a later date, with TOR indicating that details of the ceremony will be announced in due course.
In a statement issued on Saturday, December 27, 2025, TOR credited the refinery’s revival to sustained government support and commended President John Dramani Mahama and the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, for their leadership and oversight.
Management also acknowledged the contributions of the board, staff, and other stakeholders, and reaffirmed TOR’s commitment to operating safely, efficiently, and sustainably as it re-establishes its role in Ghana’s energy infrastructure.
