Ghana Refines Own Crude, Boosts Domestic Value and Fuel Security
Ghana’s Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) resumed refining Ghanaian crude on December 19, 2025 after a maintenance period that ran from August 1 to October 30, 2025.
In Brief
- •Ghana’s Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) resumed refining Ghanaian crude on December 19, 2025 after a maintenance period that ran from August 1 to October 30, 2025.
- •Since May 2026 TOR has received four 5‑million‑barrel cargoes of Ghanaian crude, including the July 15 Jubilee Medium Sweet cargo, and a 950,000‑barrel Sankofa shipment on September 25, 2026.
- •The refinery’s current throughput is about 28,000 barrels per day, with plans to raise capacity to 100,000 barrels per day by the end of the year and 200,000 barrels per day in the long term.
- •Fuel prices in the last two windows could have risen between GHS22 and GHS32 per litre if TOR had not been restored.
- •The refinery’s operations have increased Burkina Faso’s petroleum product movement through Ghana from 15% to 40%.
Why It Matters
By refining Ghanaian crude domestically, the country retains more value within its economy and moves closer to the President’s value‑addition vision. The expansion of TOR’s capacity and the strengthening of offtake partnerships are expected to improve fuel security, stabilize pump prices, and create a more integrated upstream‑midstream‑downstream ecosystem. The refinery’s success also positions Ghana as a regional refining hub, benefiting neighboring Sahelian states such as Burkina Faso.
Key Details
- Maintenance Period
- Aug 1 – Oct 30 2025
- First Crude Processing Start
- Dec 19 2025
- Current Throughput
- ~28,000 bpd
- Target Capacity (2026)
- 100,000 bpd
- Long‑Term Capacity Goal
- 200,000 bpd
Context & Background
Ghana has historically relied on imported refined products, limiting domestic value capture. The government’s recent investment in refurbishing TOR and commissioning a new Crude Distillation Unit reflects a strategic shift toward self‑sufficiency and regional leadership in petroleum refining.
Original Reporting & Sources
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