The Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has officially resumed crude oil refining operations after several years of inactivity, marking a major milestone in efforts to revive Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector and strengthen national energy security.
The restart follows the successful completion of extensive Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) works on the refinery’s Crude Distillation Unit (CDU), carried out between August 1 and October 30, 2025. According to TOR, the three-month maintenance exercise was executed in strict adherence to international engineering, safety, and operational standards, paving the way for the refinery’s long-awaited return to service.
In a statement issued on December 27, TOR described the resumption of operations as “a historic milestone in the revitalization of Ghana’s downstream petroleum sector,” underscoring its significance for the country’s energy infrastructure and industrial base.
After the maintenance works were completed, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) conducted comprehensive regulatory and safety inspections at the facility. The Authority subsequently confirmed TOR’s full compliance with all mandatory operational and safety requirements, granting clearance for the refinery to restart crude oil processing.
As part of a carefully managed, phased transition toward full operational capacity, TOR said it will continue operating over the coming months to stabilize systems, optimize performance, and ensure sustained reliability ahead of the refinery’s official recommissioning.
In addition to the maintenance works, the refinery has installed a new furnace, F-61, which is expected to be commissioned and integrated into the CDU in the near term. TOR explained that the upgrade is critical to restoring the plant’s original nameplate capacity of 45,000 barrels per stream day (bpsd), up from the current operating level of about 28,000 bpsd.
“This critical upgrade will enable the refinery to restore its original nameplate capacity of 45,000 barrels per stream day (bpsd), with a clear strategic pathway to expand the capacity to 60,000 bpsd in the medium term, following the installation of a new Air-Cooler,” the statement said.
The Government of Ghana is expected to formally commission and tie in the F-61 furnace at a later date. TOR noted that details of the commissioning ceremony, including timing and arrangements, will be communicated to stakeholders and the general public in due course.
The refinery expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for what it described as his “continued support, vision, leadership, and steadfast dedication and commitment to the restoration of TOR as a critical pillar of Ghana’s energy infrastructure.”
TOR also commended the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, for his role in the revival process. According to the refinery, the minister’s “dedication, technical oversight, and policy leadership have been instrumental in restoring TOR to operational life,” adding that his hands-on engagement ensured alignment between technical execution and national energy priorities.
The statement further acknowledged the efforts of TOR’s board, management, and workforce, praising their resilience and professionalism throughout the revival process. “The staff of TOR remains committed to sustaining the refinery’s renewed operational momentum and achieving excellence across all aspects of refinery performance,” it said.
As operations resume, TOR reiterated its commitment to safe, efficient, and sustainable refining, while expressing gratitude to the government, industry stakeholders, and the Ghanaian public for their continued confidence and support.
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