Sentuo Oil Refinery has received a 1-million-barrel of crude oil from the Jubilee Field for domestic processing, marking a major milestone in efforts to deepen local value addition, strengthen energy security and expand downstream industrial activity.

The delivery represents the first time crude from the Jubilee Field has been supplied to the privately owned refinery for processing in Ghana.

Speaking at a ceremony to mark the arrival of the cargo, General Manager of Sentuo Oil Refinery Eric Lin said the development signalled a new chapter in the country’s energy and industrial transformation agenda.

“For the first time, crude oil produced from Ghana’s Jubilee Field is being delivered to local refinery for local processing,” he said, adding that the initiative would help transform the country’s natural resources into jobs, industrial growth and broader economic benefits.

He said the move reflects government’s commitment to promoting value addition, industrialisation, energy security and local content development, while thanking regulatory agencies, industry partners and stakeholders for supporting the initiative.

Minister for Trade, Agribusiness and Industry Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare described the development as a historic moment, noting that crude oil extracted from Ghana’s waters was now being refined locally rather than being shipped abroad for processing.

She said for more than 15 years the country exported crude oil while importing refined petroleum products, limiting the full economic benefits from its natural resources.

“Today, that cycle begins to change,” she said, adding that domestic refining would support jobs, industrial development and foreign exchange retention.

According to her, products from the refinery, including diesel, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) and asphalt, would support transportation, households and infrastructure development while creating opportunities across the petroleum value chain.

The Minister also commended Sentuo Group for investing nearly US$2 billion in the refinery project and reaffirmed government’s commitment to supporting further investments in petrochemicals, fertiliser production and other value-added industries linked to the petroleum sector.

Minister for Energy and Green Transition John Abdulai Jinapor said the delivery of Jubilee crude to Sentuo was the result of deliberate policy efforts to increase domestic refining capacity and reduce dependence on imported refined products.

He reiterated that the country for years exported crude oil while importing petroleum products, a model he described as unsustainable for long-term economic transformation.

“True economic transformation requires that we process, refine and add value to our resources locally,” he said.

The Minister said the initiative gained additional urgency following recent global geopolitical tensions that highlighted the importance of strengthening domestic energy security and reducing exposure to international supply disruptions.

According to him, government engaged key stakeholders, including the Ghana National Petroleum Corporation (GNPC), Jubilee partners, regulators and Sentuo Oil Refinery, to facilitate the commercial and operational arrangements required for the shipment.

He said the refinery, which currently operates a 40,000-barrel-per-day processing train, is preparing to begin construction of its second phase, which will increase total capacity to 100,000 barrels per day.

Mr. Jinapor added that government is also working to revive and expand refining activities at Tema Oil Refinery, with the broader objective of positioning the country as a net exporter of refined petroleum products.

He said domestic refining would improve fuel supply reliability, reduce exposure to international market shocks, retain more foreign exchange and create employment opportunities across the petroleum value chain.

The Minister reaffirmed government’s commitment to creating a business-friendly environment for investors and supporting policies that promote local value addition and industrial growth.

He urged industry stakeholders to build on the momentum generated by the Jubilee crude delivery and expand investments that would help transform the country from a producer of raw materials into a value-adding industrial economy.