Ghana is taking steps to improve its domestic fuel supply as the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) moves forward with plans to increase its crude processing capacity, a move that could slightly raise refining output across West Africa.
The state-owned refinery intends to raise production from about 28,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 45,000 bpd, a 61% increase. This will happen through the addition of a new fuel processing unit, known as F-61, which will operate alongside the existing facility.
The refinery will link both units to its crude distillation system, enabling it to handle more crude oil and produce higher volumes of refined petroleum products.
TOR’s Corporate Affairs Officer, Godwin Mahama Ayaba, explained that the refinery currently operates at a nameplate capacity of 28,000 barrels per stream day.
He added that integrating the F-61 unit will raise capacity to 45,000 barrels per stream day, working together with the existing F1 unit connected to the crude distillation system. Refining operations will continue during the integration process.
Once completed, the upgrade could lower Ghana’s dependence on imported refined fuels and improve the country’s role within the region’s changing refining market.
West Africa has traditionally depended on imported petroleum products because of limited local refining capacity. However, supply patterns have started to change following the start-up of Nigeria’s Dangote Petroleum Refinery, Africa’s largest refinery with a capacity of 650,000 barrels per day.
Although smaller than the Dangote refinery, the Tema expansion could still support fuel supply stability in the sub-region, especially for neighboring countries that rely on imports through Ghana’s ports.
The project also reflects Ghana’s wider efforts in recent years to strengthen development across its natural resource sectors.
The Tema Oil Refinery remains Ghana’s only refinery and currently has a capacity of about 45,000 barrels per day, supplying roughly 60% of the country’s fuel demand. The refinery sources crude mainly from Nigeria and other African producers such as Equatorial Guinea, Cameroon, Gabon, and Angola.
Under the Ghana Infrastructure Plan 2018–2047, authorities plan to expand TOR’s capacity further to 60,000 bpd. The government also plans to build a new refinery in the Western Region to process Ghana’s offshore oil resources.
Ghana continues to lead Africa in gold production, with annual output exceeding 4 million ounces, according to the Ghana Chamber of Mines. The mining industry attracts strong international investment and remains an important source of government revenue.
In the oil sector, Ghana has also made steady gains. Production from the Jubilee, TEN, and Sankofa oil fields has strengthened the country’s position as a notable crude producer in West Africa.
source: africa.businessinsider.com
African Energy Council