South Sudan’s Minister of Petroleum, Hon. Ezekiel Gatkuoth has called for continued collaboration in the oil industry between Sudan and South Sudan as Khartoum undergoes political turmoil. “The lifeline and the backbone of the economies of South Sudan and Sudan must continue to stand strong, in spite of significant political changes in the Republic of Sudan,” says Gatkuoth.
South Sudan exports all crude oil produce via pipelines from Hegleig and Paloch to Khartoum and then, to Port Sudan for export. Since a landmark peace agreement in 2018, Sudan and South Sudan have collaborated to bring supplies and workers across the border to rehabilitate South Sudanese oilfields. The fields, damaged during and after the 2013 conflict, are now resuming production.
The economies and the people of Sudan and South Sudan share a common destiny. The flow of oil is vital for the people of both nations and shall remain uninterrupted. We call for a measured, methodical approach to make sure the industry continues to develop, that our people can rely on employment from the petroleum industry and that our nations can continue to depend on this resource. This is the super glue that binds our common destinies and ensures peaceful progress together”, Gatkuoth adds.
The on-going work at the Al-Nar, Al-Toor, Manga and Tharjiath oilfields will continue at the current speed in order to meet an April 27 deadline to pump first oil from rehabilitated wells. Oil workers are currently deployed inspecting oil flow along the pipeline route, and will be protected along the length of the route, from oilfields to export terminal, and during transit.
South Sudan’s Blocks 3 and 7 are producing 134,000 barrels per day and Blocks 1,2, and 4 are producing 34,000 barrels per day of crude oil. The Republic of South Sudan today produces 168,000 barrels of oil per day.