By Deng Ghai Deng
Government delegation to Port Sudan has confirmed that critical repairs to oil facilities have been successfully completed, clearing the path for the resumption of production and exploration.
In a statement to the state-own TV, SSBC, the head of the delegation, Dr. Chol Deng Thon, who is also the Undersecretary in the Ministry of Petroleum confirmed that the oil facilities are now in good condition following repairs, paving the way for the imminent resumption of production and exploration.
“The importance of this visit was to check the status of resumption pump station number 6 happens to be the most critical station along the pipeline, and all the operations and the issues of operation were hedging on fixing the pumping station number 6 which we have just seen,” he said.
“All the preparations are going well. We have been briefed by the operating company and the station number is ready, on the technical side based on the report we have received we can confirm that the pipeline is ready for the resumption to happen,” he added.
The main pipeline carrying oil from South Sudan through Sudan for export was halted in February because of damage stemming from a war between Sudan’s army and the Rapid Support Forces.
Analysts say the damage is leading to serious environmental contamination and that the stoppage has contributed to higher food prices in Sudan, where millions face extreme hunger.
South Sudan’s economy has been under pressure in recent years amid communal violence, with crude oil export revenue having dwindled since a 2013-2018 civil war and more recently export disruptions due to war in neighbouring Sudan.
The country had been sending about 150,000 barrels per day of crude through Sudan for export, under a formula established when South Sudan gained independence from Khartoum in 2011.