In South Sudan, the Minister of Oil called on Tuesday January 7 for the immediate resumption of crude production on the country’s main fields, a few days after the reopening of transit by the authorities of neighboring Sudan, through which 70% of oil passes. South Sudanese to reach the Red Sea. The restart of South Sudanese production is impatiently awaited by the authorities in Juba, with oil revenues financing 90% of public expenditure.
2 mins
The South Sudanese Minister of Oil asked the company Dar Petroleum Operating to immediately resume the exploitation of blocks 3 and 7. “ We are resuming operations with the support of our international partners, China National Petroleum, Sinopec and the Egyptian SSTO », added Puot Kang Chol.
The “force majeure” was officially lifted by the Sudanese government by a letter dated January 4, 2025, Puot Kang Chol said, during a press conference in Juba which follows months of negotiations involving the South SudanSudan and partner companies.
A target of 90,000 barrels per day for the first six months
The objective is to increase South Sudan’s production from less than 60,000 barrels per day to 90,000 in six months. It reached nearly 200,000 barrels per day, a level close to that of the Gabonbefore the war with its big neighbor.
“ We believe that with the recovery […]the resources will be available again said Puot Kang Chol, highlighting the significant impact of the shutdown on South Sudan’s economy, noting that DPOC contributes more than 70% of the country’s oil production.
Also readOil crisis in South Sudan: why Malaysian Petronas is slamming the door
The announcement comes a few days after the lifting, by the authorities of Sudan neighbor, of the state of force majeure which for almost a year prevented the oil pipeline from evacuating crude to Port Sudan on the Red Sea, because of the Sudanese civil war.
The 1,500 km of infrastructure had been damaged by the fighting, and it also lacked the diesel needed to thin the oil in the pipes. The latest repairs were delayed by insecurity and flooding, after a first announcement of resumption of flows by the South Sudanese president Salva Kiir himself.
In this country of around 12 million inhabitants, the majority of whom live below the poverty line, the oil windfall is very largely diverted for political purposes and enrichment in this country classified among the most affected by corruption by the NGO Transparency International (177th out of 180).
Also readSouth Sudan: suspension of oil exports undermines economy and sends prices skyrocketing