TOR On Way Out

Minister of Energy, Boakye Agyarko, says there are plans to convert distressed Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) into a tank farm.

Mr. Agyarko made the announcement in Houston, Texas, US, during a meeting with potential investors at the ongoing Offshore Technology Conference (OTC).

According to the minister, plans were underway to establish a refinery hub in Takoradi in the Western Region with private capital to serve Ghana and the West Africa sub-region.

He said the equipment of TOR have been in existence since 1962.

Mr Agyarko also said, “The current production capacity of TOR – which hovers around 20,000 metric tonnes of oil – is grossly inadequate to cater for the country.

“Currently, Ghana’s requirement is about 160,000 metric tones, which means that the shortfall has to be imported to augment it.”

However, the minister said government was working to create a local ‘Rotterdam’ enclave in Takoradi where about four oil refineries would be established to meet local consumption and also for export.

He gave the assurance that no obstacles would be placed in the way of operators of the refineries who want to export their finished products to other markets.

The minister said, “TOR is currently being used to store petroleum products for Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and Bulk oil Distribution Companies (BDCs) so in converting it, the refinery would begin to take rent from tenants.”

Ghana Acquires Historic Pavilion

Ghana registered a strong presence at the function by acquiring a pavilion.

This is the first time that Ghana has acquired a pavilion since it commenced commercial production of oil in 2008.

Over the past 10 years, participants attended the conference individually with no umbrella body to manage them.

However, the current situation is different, with all the participating companies and agencies, both public and private, housed under one roof to exhibit their products.

This years’ event is the 50th edition, with over 500,000 participants in attendance.

Ghana’s representation is led by the ministry of energy and its affiliate regulatory agencies in the downstream and upstream sectors such as the National Petroleum Authority (NPA), Petroleum Commission, Ghana Gas Company, Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Bulk Oil and Storage Distribution Company (BOST) as well as other players in the industry.

The oil marketing companies are also trying to get business contacts.

With government focusing on improving revenue from the oil and gas sector, it was not surprising that Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA) and Ghana Ports and Harbours were duly represented.

The OTC is a major programme on the calendar of oil companies and related companies where players come together for a common good.

Commissioning the pavilion, Mr Boakye Agyarko noted, “There is little doubt that the OTC is the oil and gas industry’s biggest event that brings together oil industry practitioners, IOCs, service companies, vendors, governments and others, to meet, dialogue, share ideas and pursue various agenda.

“This is the 50th edition of the OTC. Many Ghanaians, Ghanaian companies and companies operating in Ghana have participated in the OTC for many years and for some decades. However, my information is that this is the first time Ghana is having its pavilion.”

The step, he explained, is significant in the development of the life-cycle of Ghana’s upstream petroleum industry.

George Owusu, who led Ghana’s commercial oil discovery, said, “I have attended OTC for the past 25 years, but this year appears to be my best because Ghana registered a strong presence.”

Source: Daily Guide