TOR Refutes Shutdown Claims, Plans Output Boost to 45,000 Barrels Per Day

Management of the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has rejected reports suggesting the facility has shut down due to inadequate government investment, describing such claims as misleading.

Speaking to Citi Business News on Friday, February 20, 2026, TOR’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Godwin Mahama Ayaba, explained that the refinery is transitioning into the second phase of its operational ramp-up after a successful test run following years of inactivity.

He noted that TOR is preparing to integrate the F-61 furnace with the existing F-1 furnace to power the Crude Distillation Unit (CDU). This upgrade is expected to raise production capacity to 45,000 barrels per stream day (bpsd), up from the current 28,000 bpsd.

Ayaba clarified that temporary pauses in operations are necessary to complete the technical tie-in process. He explained that engineering procedures require operations to be halted during such integration work to ensure safe and effective installation.

He stressed that extra caution is required because the F-61 furnace exploded in 2017. According to him, the recommissioning process must strictly meet engineering standards to prevent a recurrence of that incident.

He further revealed that Vega Engineering  the Italian firm that constructed the F-61 furnace  must supervise its commissioning before it is handed over to TOR’s in-house engineers.

Reaffirming the refinery’s position, Ayaba stated that current operational adjustments are not the result of maintenance challenges, technical faults, or funding shortfalls. Instead, they form part of ongoing preparations to increase output and restore TOR’s full operational capacity.