The Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has resumed crude oil refining operations after years of inactivity, marking a significant milestone in government efforts to revive Ghana’s downstream petroleum industry.
The restart follows the completion of extensive Turnaround Maintenance (TAM) works on the refinery’s Crude Distillation Unit (CDU) between August 1 and October 30, 2025. TOR says the maintenance was completed on schedule and in line with international engineering, safety and operational standards.
Subsequently, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) carried out regulatory inspections and cleared the facility to resume operations, confirming that all mandatory safety and operational requirements had been met.
As part of a phased return to full capacity, TOR will operate in the coming months to stabilise systems and optimise performance ahead of its official recommissioning. Management says the approach is aimed at ensuring reliability and long-term sustainability.
The refinery has also completed the installation of a new furnace, F-61, which is expected to be commissioned soon and integrated into the CDU. When operational, the upgrade will raise refining capacity from the current 28,000 barrels per stream day to its original nameplate capacity of 45,000 barrels per stream day, with plans to expand to 60,000 barrels per stream day in the medium term.
Government is expected to formally commission the new furnace at a later date, with details to be announced.
In a statement issued on Saturday, December 27, TOR attributed the resumption of operations to sustained government support, praising President John Dramani Mahama and the Minister for Energy and Green Transition, Dr. John Abdulai Jinapor, for their leadership and oversight in restoring the refinery to operation.



















