The Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) is preparing to boost its production capacity as part of renewed efforts to improve efficiency and strengthen operations in Ghana’s petroleum sector.
The refinery is currently undertaking technical processes to expand its processing capability from 28,000 barrels per stream day to 45,000 barrels per stream day. The planned increase will be achieved through the integration of an additional processing unit known as the F61 unit, which will operate alongside the existing F1 unit.
According to management, both units will be connected to the refinery’s crude distillation system to enhance efficiency and increase overall output. Engineers are currently carrying out the transitional technical procedures required to integrate the new unit into the refinery’s processing system.
Once the process is completed, TOR expects its production capacity to rise significantly from its current level of 28,000 barrels per stream day to about 45,000 barrels per stream day.
The refinery is presently operating under a tolling arrangement, where private companies supply crude oil to the facility for refining. Under this system, TOR processes the crude oil for a fee, while the refined petroleum products are returned to the companies that provided the crude.
Corporate Affairs Officer of TOR, Godwin Mahama Ayaba, disclosed the plans during an interview on Citi FM on March 9. He explained that under the tolling system, the refinery does not control the marketing or distribution of the finished petroleum products, as those decisions are made by the crude suppliers.
Mr Ayaba also indicated that beyond the current upgrade, management is considering further expansion plans that could increase the refinery’s capacity to around 60,000 barrels per stream day in the medium term.