Sentuo Oil Refinery Begins Processing Jubilee Crude as Ghana Targets Regional Energy Hub Status

Ghana has achieved a historic milestone in its quest for energy independence with the commencement of local refining of Jubilee crude oil at the Sentuo Oil Refinery in Tema. This development marks a pivotal shift from the country’s long-standing practice of exporting raw crude while importing expensive refined petroleum products. Executive Chairman of the Sentuo Group, Ningquan Xu, described the delivery of the first shipment of one million barrels of Jubilee crude as a transformative moment that will retain value within the domestic economy, enhance energy security, and catalyze industrial growth. The refinery, which began operations with an aim to process up to 100,000 barrels per day, is positioned as a cornerstone of Ghana’s industrial transformation.

The initiative has received strong backing from government leadership, aligning with a vision to maximize local participation in the petroleum value chain. Energy Minister Dr. John Jinapor and Trade Minister Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare have both hailed the refinery’s operations as vital for economic self-reliance. By processing natural resources domestically, the government expects to create thousands of jobs and reduce the nation’s vulnerability to global energy supply shocks. The partnership with Tullow Oil has been instrumental in facilitating this local supply, ensuring a steady stream of raw material for the Tema-based facility.

Looking ahead, the refinery is set for a significant capacity boost with the inauguration of Phase Two of its expansion project, scheduled for June 24, 2026. President John Dramani Mahama is expected to officiate the ceremony, which is projected to further increase refining volumes and solidify Ghana’s standing as a regional hub for petroleum processing and trading across West Africa and the Sahel. This expansion is viewed not just as a corporate achievement for the Sentuo Group, but as a strategic national asset that will support the broader industrialization agenda.

Complementing these private-sector strides, the state-owned Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) is also undergoing a comprehensive "Reset and Rebranding Agenda." The TOR Board of Directors recently conducted an inspection of critical infrastructure, including the rehabilitation of fuel storage tanks and the development of a new loading gantry to streamline distribution. Together, the coordinated efforts between Sentuo and TOR are expected to create a robust refining ecosystem that meets domestic fuel needs while providing long-term sustainability and economic prosperity for the Ghanaian energy sector.