Sentuo Refinery to Process One Million Barrels of Jubilee Crude in Boost to Local Fuel Production

Sentuo Oil Refinery is expected to receive approximately one million barrels of crude oil from the Jubilee Field for refining, a move industry stakeholders believe will strengthen domestic fuel production and improve Ghana’s energy security.

The development was disclosed by Duncan Amoah, Executive Secretary of the Chamber of Petroleum Consumers, who described the initiative as a timely response to growing global fuel supply uncertainties and rising costs associated with importing refined petroleum products.

According to Amoah, allocating locally produced crude oil to domestic refineries is a practical strategy that can reduce Ghana’s dependence on imported fuels while ensuring that more value is retained within the national economy.

He noted that refining crude oil locally makes economic sense, particularly at a time when international conflicts and supply chain disruptions have increased shipping costs, insurance premiums and other expenses related to importing finished petroleum products.

Amoah said the decision could help cushion consumers from the effects of volatile global energy markets while enhancing the country’s capacity to meet domestic fuel demand.

He further revealed that Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) is also expected to receive a similar quantity of crude oil by the first week of July, ensuring a more reliable supply of feedstock to local refining facilities.

While welcoming the development, he called on the government to extend similar opportunities to smaller modular refineries, including Platon Refinery and Akwaaba Refinery, to broaden participation in the downstream petroleum sector and increase local refining output.

According to Amoah, supporting multiple refineries would help diversify production, improve the supply of petroleum products and provide industries with access to refined fuel products they require for operations.

He also suggested that sustained allocations of locally produced crude to domestic refineries could gradually contribute to lower fuel prices by reducing exposure to international shipping and insurance costs that continue to affect the global fuel trade.

Amoah praised the Ministry of Energy for the initiative and expressed hope that the policy would be maintained throughout the year as part of broader efforts to strengthen fuel security and protect consumers from rising energy costs.

Industry observers believe that increasing the share of locally refined petroleum products could play a significant role in reducing Ghana’s vulnerability to global supply disruptions while promoting greater efficiency within the country's energy sector.