The Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has dismissed reports that it has shut down due to a lack of government investment, describing the claims as misleading and inconsistent with its current operational status.
Management insists the refinery is neither facing financial distress nor technical collapse but is instead transitioning into a planned operational phase aimed at increasing output capacity.
Addressing the concerns, TOR’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Godwin Mahama Ayaba, said the refinery has deliberately paused certain operations to undertake technical preparations necessary for scaling up production.
“The narrative outside there pointing to issues of lack of investment, lack of funds, technical issues, maintenance issues, is not the fact on the ground,” he stated.
Planned Upgrade to Boost Output
At the core of the transition is the integration of the F-61 furnace with the existing F-1 furnace to power the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU), a key component in the refining process.
The integration is expected to raise TOR’s processing capacity from 28,000 barrels per stream day (bpsd) to 45,000 bpsd.
Mr. Ayaba explained that such engineering works cannot be executed while the refinery is in full operation.
“Technically, you need to hold on with operations to be able to prepare in order to do the tie-in. That is what technically or engineering-wise, that is how it ought to be, and that is what we are doing,” he said.
Management views the furnace integration as part of a broader strategy to restore the refinery to optimal productivity following years of operational setbacks.
Technical Oversight and Cautious Recommissioning
TOR has engaged Vega Engineering, the Italian firm that constructed the F-61 furnace, to supervise its commissioning. The involvement of the original builders is intended to ensure adherence to design specifications and international engineering standards.
According to Mr. Ayaba, Vega Engineering will oversee the technical process before handing the system over to TOR’s in-house engineers.
He noted that the preparations are geared toward achieving the targeted 45,000 bpsd output, representing a significant improvement over current levels.
Management emphasized that lessons from past operational challenges, particularly in 2017, are guiding the refinery’s cautious approach.
“In trying to bring it back to operation, we need to be very careful so that we meet all the engineering requirements in order not to find ourselves in the same situation that occurred in the year 2017,” Mr. Ayaba said.
Commitment to Stability and Growth
TOR officials have reiterated that the temporary operational pause forms part of a structured expansion plan rather than an indication of decline.
The projected capacity increase is expected to strengthen Ghana’s domestic refining capability, reduce reliance on imported petroleum products, and enhance national energy security.
As technical preparations continue, management maintains that the refinery remains on a path of measured recovery, supported by international technical oversight and a clear roadmap for sustainable growth.
