Oil & Gas

SOUTH SUDAN and SUDAN. South Sudan and Sudan have engaged in discussions regarding the resumption of South Sudanese crude oil exports through Sudanese ports, following months of disruptions caused by a ruptured pipeline amid ongoing conflict in Sudan. The dialogue took place during a meeting between South Sudan's President Salva Kiir and Sudan’s Sovereign Council Chairman, Abdel Fattah Al Burhan. According to the South Sudanese presidential office, significant progress has been made in repairing the oil infrastructure over the past four months.

Sudanese Foreign Affairs Minister Ramadan Abdalla Mohammed Goc confirmed that engineers have completed the necessary technical preparations to enable the resumption of oil production. This development is crucial for South Sudan, which relies heavily on oil exports for its revenue. The current situation has left South Sudan struggling financially, as oil exports have drastically declined since the beginning of the year due to the pipeline issues.

In the coming weeks, engineers from South Sudan are expected to visit Sudan to evaluate the progress made on the pipeline and related infrastructure. Their assessment will determine if the facilities are ready to facilitate the flow of crude oil from South Sudan, which is vital for the country’s economy. The pipeline represents the only outlet for South Sudan’s oil, making the resolution of this issue essential.

The oil export crisis began in March when Sudan declared force majeure on crude oil exports from South Sudan due to the pipeline rupture, which occurred in a conflict-affected area. The ongoing fighting in Sudan, particularly between the Rapid Support Forces and the Sudanese army, has compounded the difficulties faced by South Sudan, where many oilfields are unable to send oil through the disrupted pipeline, resulting in a significant loss of revenue.