The Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) is preparing to increase its production capacity as part of renewed efforts to strengthen operations and improve output at the facility.

The refinery is currently undertaking technical processes aimed at expanding its processing capability from 28,000 barrels per stream day to 45,000 barrels per stream day.

The expansion forms part of broader plans to revitalise the refinery and enhance its contribution to the country’s petroleum sector.

Officials say the planned increase will be achieved through the integration of an additional processing unit, known as the F61 unit, which will operate alongside the existing F1 unit.

Both units will be connected to the refinery’s crude distillation system to improve overall efficiency and output.

Management explained that operations have continued since the refinery resumed production, with engineers currently working through transitional technical procedures required to incorporate the new unit into the processing system.

Once the integration is completed, the refinery expects its output to rise significantly from the current level of 28,000 barrels per stream day to 45,000 barrels per stream day.

The refinery is presently operating under a tolling arrangement, a system in which private companies supply crude oil to the facility for processing.

Under this arrangement, the refinery refines the crude and charges a processing fee, while the refined petroleum products are returned to the companies that provided the crude.

Corporate Affairs Officer of TOR, Godwin Mahama Ayaba, disclosed these developments during an interview on Citi FM on Monday, March 9.

He explained that under the tolling system, the refinery does not control the marketing or distribution of the finished products, as those decisions are taken by the crude oil suppliers.

Mr Ayaba added that while the refinery’s current nameplate capacity stands at 28,000 barrels per stream day, the introduction of the F61 unit will push output to 45,000 barrels per stream day.

He further indicated that management is also considering plans to expand capacity to about 60,000 barrels per stream day in the medium term.