TOR targets 100,000 barrels per day as expansion works begin – MD reveals

Edmond Kombat, the Managing Director of Tema Oil Refinery (TOR), has announced an ambitious expansion plan to boost the refinery's output. Speaking at a Government Accountability Series event, Mr. Kombat revealed that engineers from Verga Engineering are currently working to complete the connection and commissioning of the F-61 unit, which will enable the Crude Distillation Unit to reach its full capacity of 45,000 to 55,000 barrels per stream day.

In the longer term, TOR intends to install a new air cooler to increase capacity to 60,000 bpsd and replace older catalytic reformers with a more efficient 10,000 barrel-per-day continuous system. The refinery has received a new 120-ton boiler, and ongoing work is being done on the RFCC turnaround and SCADA system. President John Mahama directed the Minister of Energy to collaborate with TOR's Board and management in developing a strategic roadmap to increase processing capacity to 100,000 barrels per day, with an ultimate goal of reaching 200,000 barrels per day.

TOR is also undergoing a restructuring process to ensure it operates on sound commercial principles, free from undue political influence. The Ministry of Finance is currently discussing the potential write-off or conversion of TOR's $120 million legacy debt owed to the Ghanaian government. With the expansion to 100,000 barrels per day, the government aims to fulfill about 70 percent of the nation's fuel demand locally by 2028.