Story By: Dennis Ato Keelson
The Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has officially restarted its crude oil refining operations, ending a prolonged period of inactivity. The restart marks a significant step in the government’s efforts to revitalize Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector.
The return to service follows the completion of a major three-month Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) project on the refinery’s primary Crude Distillation Unit (CDU), which concluded in October 2025. The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has inspected the facility and granted full regulatory clearance for operations to resume.
In a phased approach to full capacity, the refinery will operate in the coming months to stabilize its systems. Currently running at 28,000 barrels per stream day (bpsd), TOR has installed a new furnace, F-61, which is set to be commissioned later. This upgrade is expected to restore the refinery’s original capacity of 45,000 bpsd, with plans to expand to 60,000 bpsd in the medium term.
In a press release, TOR management extended gratitude to President John Dramani Mahama and Energy Minister Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor for their “vision, leadership, and steadfast dedication” to the project. The refinery also commended its board, management, and workforce for their role in the revival.
The government is scheduled to formally commission the new furnace at a later date, with details to be communicated to the public. TOR has pledged to operate safely and efficiently as it resumes its role in Ghana’s energy infrastructure.
