TOR resumes crude refining after years-long shutdown

The Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has resumed crude oil refining operations after several years of inactivity, following the completion of major maintenance works and regulatory clearance, the company said.

The restart follows a turnaround maintenance programme on the refinery’s crude distillation unit (CDU), carried out between Aug. 1 and Oct. 30, 2025.

TOR said the work was completed within schedule and in line with international engineering, safety and operational standards.

After the maintenance, the National Petroleum Authority (NPA) conducted regulatory inspections and cleared the refinery to restart operations, confirming compliance with mandatory safety and operational requirements.

Refining operations began on Friday, Dec. 19, with all petroleum product streams sent to storage for the first time in several years, TOR said.

The refinery will operate on a phased basis in the coming months to stabilise systems, optimise performance and ensure sustained reliability ahead of its formal recommissioning.

TOR said it has also installed a new furnace, F-61, which is expected to be commissioned and integrated into the CDU. The upgrade is designed to restore the refinery’s original nameplate capacity of 45,000 barrels per stream day, from the current operating level of about 28,000 bpsd. The company said it also plans to expand capacity to 60,000 bpsd in the medium term, subject to the installation of a new air-cooler.

The government is expected to formally commission and tie in the new furnace at a later date, with details to be announced in due course.

TOR acknowledged the support of President John Dramani Mahama and the Energy and Green Transition Minister, John Abdulai Jinapor, as well as the refinery’s board, management and workforce, for their roles in the restart.

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