The Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has resumed crude oil refining, marking a significant turnaround for Ghana’s only state-owned refinery after years of operational decline.
Following extensive maintenance works, management confirms that system flushing and test runs on the Crude Distillation Unit have been successfully completed. The refinery has now entered the flare-up and stabilisation phase, a key step ahead of the official commissioning for full-scale refining operations.
Management attributes the revival to a series of reforms aimed at restoring operational efficiency and confidence in the facility. Terminal operations have been extended into the night, boosting throughput and revenue, while tighter accountability measures in product handling have helped rebuild trust with clients.
These changes have significantly improved performance. Storage tanks at the refinery are now full, a marked contrast to years of underutilisation. Notably, TOR completed its turnaround maintenance without contracting new loans, relying entirely on internally generated funds.
The refinery’s return to operations has also had a positive impact on employment. Hundreds of technicians were engaged during the maintenance phase, with many retained on a permanent basis. Currently, about 1,000 workers and their dependants continue to benefit from stable employment and access to free medical care.