Oando To Operate 100-year-old Trinidad 175,000bpd Refinery

Oando Plc is set to manage the century-old Guaracara Refinery, a vital Caribbean asset with advanced refining capabilities, having been selected as preferred bidder for Lease of the Refinery.

This lease represents a significant step for Oando plx, marking a new chapter in its growth strategy while contributing positively to the energy sector dynamics between Africa and the Caribbean.

Chief compliance officer & company secretary of Oando, Ayotola Jagun  reported this following the announcement by the minister for Energy of Trinidad and Tobago on Thursday February 27, 2025, its trading subsidiary, Oando Trading, has been formally advised in writing of its selection as the preferred bidder for the lease of the Guaracara Refining Company Limited (GRC)’s refinery assets from Trinidad Petroleum Holdings Ltd (TPHL).

Jagun said this award underscores Oando’s track record of reliability, innovation, infrastructure development and aligns with its Corporate Strategic Vision of expanding across the Caribbean region.

“This partnership also represents a strategic bridge between Africa and the Caribbean as Oando’s involvement in the Refinery will serve as a catalyst for deeper Afro-Caribbean collaboration in the energy sector, paving the way for increased trade, investment, and knowledge exchange. This initiative underscores Africa’s growing influence in the global energy landscape and highlights the role of indigenous African companies in fostering economic transformation across borders.

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Commenting on the announcement, group chief executive of Oando Plc, Wale Tinubu, said: “We are honoured by the confidence the Trinidadian government has placed in us with this award.

This strategic investment aligns with our long-term vision of expanding into high-potential regions and growing our operational footprint, leveraging our vast technical expertise and global partnerships to finance projects.

“We recognise the significance of this opportunity and look forward to working with all

stakeholders to deliver maximum value for all parties involved.”

The Refinery, located in Pointe-à-Pierre, Trinidad and Tobago, is a vital energy asset in the Caribbean. It was established over a century ago and historically has been the cornerstone of Trinidad and Tobago’s oil industry. With a capacity of 175,000 barrels per day and a Nelson Complexity Index of 8.0, the refinery is well-suited for processing regional crude oils and supplying both domestic and regional markets with refined products.

He said the next steps in the process involve detailed discussions with the government and regulatory authorities to finalise the lease agreement and operational framework. As this process progresses, Oando PLC will continue to provide timely updates to stakeholders and the public.