Ghana’s state-owned Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has resumed crude oil processing for the first time in several years, signaling a significant revival in the nation’s downstream petroleum industry, Minister for Energy and Green Transitions, John Abdulai Jinapor announced.
The announcement came from Minister for Energy and Green Transitions, John Abdulai Jinapor, highlighting the achievement as a key step toward greater energy self-reliance.
The refinery, originally commissioned in 1963 and Ghana’s primary facility for turning crude into petroleum products, had faced prolonged downtime due to infrastructure challenges, including a major fire in 2017 and subsequent maintenance issues. Operations restarted on December 19, 2025, following an intensive three-month Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) program on the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) completed between August and October 2025.
Tema Oil Refinery Resumes Crude Oil Processing: Major Ghana Energy Sector Milestone [X Post]
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Currently operating at around 28,000 barrels per stream day, the facility is below its original nameplate capacity of 45,000 barrels per day but is progressing toward full restoration. Recent upgrades, including a new furnace set for commissioning, aim to push output higher, with medium-term plans to reach 60,000 barrels per day through additional enhancements like a new air-cooler.
The resumption, cleared by the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), allows petroleum products to flow into storage once more, reducing Ghana’s heavy dependence on imported fuels despite domestic crude production. This development strengthens energy security and supports local refining capabilities in a sector long plagued by operational and financial hurdles.
Minister John Abdulai Jinapor has praised the efforts of TOR’s management, led by CEO Edmond Kombat, and reaffirmed government commitment to the refinery’s recovery. The milestone has sparked positive reactions across social media, with many viewing it as a win for national economic progress and industrial revival.
As TOR stabilizes operations ahead of an official recommissioning, the focus remains on long-term sustainability, efficiency, and potential expansions. This progress aligns with broader goals to enhance Ghana’s role in regional energy markets and minimize forex pressures from fuel imports.
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