Watch as TOR receives one million barrels of Ghana crude oil for refining

The Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) has received a shipment of approximately one million barrels of Ghanaian crude oil, with the refinery expected to begin processing the cargo into petroleum products for the local market in the coming days.

The crude oil was delivered aboard the vessel MT Apache, marking what TOR says is the fulfilment of President John Dramani Mahama's commitment to supply locally produced crude oil to the state-owned refinery.

Speaking after the vessel docked, TOR Managing Director Edmond Kombat expressed appreciation to the President for fulfilling his pledge to strengthen the link between Ghana's upstream and downstream petroleum sectors.

Ghana signs MoU with World Gold Council to formalise small-scale gold mining

"We are so grateful to His Excellency the President for promising the people of Ghana that he was going to link the upstream and the downstream together. He promised that he was going to give Ghanaian crude oil to the Tema Oil Refinery," Kombat said.

According to him, the latest shipment marks the first time since President Mahama returned to office that locally produced crude oil has been supplied to TOR for refining.

Kombat recalled that a similar arrangement was implemented during President Mahama's first administration, adding that the latest delivery demonstrates the government's renewed commitment to reviving the refinery and increasing the use of Ghana's own petroleum resources.

"This is not the first time he's done this; he did this in his first term in 2016. Coming back into power, this is the first time he's given the Ghanaian crude to TOR. We are happy to report to everybody that the President has fulfilled his promise," he stated.

He disclosed that the crude oil would be discharged immediately to allow refining operations to begin.

"There's the equivalent of one million barrels of crude in MT Apache. They're about to start discharging and then the refinery will refine it for the Ghanaian people," he said.

Kombat expressed optimism that motorists and consumers would soon begin using fuel refined from Ghanaian crude oil.

"In the few coming days, you have your Ghanaian crude turned into petroleum products in your vehicles, in your various cars as you cruise from Accra to Kumasi, to Takoradi and Cape Coast," he added.

He also commended the crew of the vessel for ensuring the safe delivery of the cargo.

"I want to thank our Greek brothers. They've brought us good luck and sailed this vessel safely here. MT Apache is about to become more famous," he remarked.

The arrival of the shipment forms part of the government's broader efforts to strengthen the link between Ghana's upstream petroleum production and domestic refining to boost local fuel production and reduce reliance on imported refined petroleum products.

ANAS/MA

Tema Oil Refinery receives first Jubilee crude cargo in a decade