By Yiep Joseph
Ministry of Petroleum (MOP) announced the resumption of oil production in Blocks 3 and 7 after Sudan lifted the force Majeure.
“The Ministry of Petroleum and Partners would like to declare that the kick-off date for DPOC resumption is as early as tomorrow(today). This is basically to say our D-Day that we have been waiting for is tomorrow(today), the 8th of January 2025,” Minister Puot Kang Chol announced during the press briefing on Tuesday.
The minister revealed that the oil resumption will start with 90,000 barrels per day with hope to realize its full capacity with time.
“Our target is 90,000 barrels a day. This is what the pipeline will accommodate in the first phase. And then thereafter, if we have the capacity to increase more than that, we shall do so,” he explained.
Minister Puot stated that Dar Petroleum Operating Company (DPOC) and Bashier Pipeline Company (BAPCO) have been instructed and agreed to start production immediately without delay.
“As such, MOP and partners are hereby directing DPOC, in coordination with BAPCO, to immediately embark on the resumption without any delay. From here today, we will not allow one minute, because we have talked, and we have agreed,” he said.
He revealed that the success of oil resumption came following the resolution of pipeline and security concerns and the lifting of force majeure.
Minister Puot revealed that the Dar Petroleum Operating Company (DPOC) and Bashier Pipeline Company (BAPCO) have been instructed to start production immediately, which is today.
He expressed optimism over resumption, adding that it may improve the country’s economy which has been suffering since the interruption due to war in Sudan.
“This (oil resumption) may improve our economy in one way or another once it is realized. We know that our economy is suffering, he said.
The Minister said that 70% of South Sudan’s oil production comes from DPOC, adding that the resumption remains good news for the country.
“We believe, with tomorrow’s oil resumption, that resources will be back on the table,” he said.
The Minister appreciated the staff from the Ministry of Petroleum as well as the partners for the efforts to ensure that oil production resumption.
Recently the Ministry of Petroleum (MOP) of South Sudan wrote to DAR Petroleum Operating Company Ltd (DPOC), a consortium of oil exploration and production companies, indicating that oil production in Blocks 3 and 7 and exports will resume on Wednesday, 8 January.
The flow of South Sudan’s crude oil through the Sudanese pipeline was disrupted after the infrastructure was damaged and compromised early in 2024 due to the ongoing war between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), which erupted in April 2023.
Recently, it was reported that the country produces roughly 150,000 to 170,000 barrels of oil per day.