Ghana’s Tema Oil Refinery is preparing to expand its production capacity as part of efforts to revitalise operations and strengthen its role in the country’s petroleum industry.
The refinery is currently undertaking technical processes aimed at increasing its processing capacity from 28,000 barrels per stream day to 45,000 barrels per stream day. The expansion will be achieved through the integration of an additional processing facility known as the F61 unit, which will operate alongside the existing F1 unit.
Both units will be linked to the refinery’s crude distillation system to enhance operational efficiency and boost overall output once the integration is completed.
Officials say engineers are presently carrying out transitional technical procedures required to incorporate the new unit into the refinery’s system following the facility’s recent resumption of operations.
The refinery is currently operating under a tolling arrangement, where private companies supply crude oil to the facility for processing. Under this system, the refinery charges a processing fee while the refined petroleum products are returned to the companies that supplied the crude.
Corporate Affairs Officer Godwin Mahama Ayaba disclosed the plans during an interview on Citi FM on March 9. He explained that under the tolling arrangement, the refinery does not control the marketing or distribution of refined products.
Ayaba further indicated that management is exploring additional expansion plans that could increase the refinery’s capacity to about 60,000 barrels per stream day in the medium term.