Despite reaching a deal with Sudan to restart the flow of its crude through the existing pipeline network in Sudan for export (see p5), South Sudan has said it is pressing on with studies into possible routes for a pipeline that would free it from its long-standing dependence on its northern neighbor.
Juba has contracted Germany’s ILF Engineering to carry out a feasibility study on two possible routes: one from Juba to the port of Lamu in Kenya, and the other from Juba to Djibouti, via Ethiopia. Speaking on a state-visit to Addis Ababa late last week, South Sudan’s information minister Barnaba Marial Benjamin talked up the country’s need for an alternative pipeline. “The amount of oil deposits and supply will increase and will need additional pipelines, and the one through Ethiopia to Djibouti is appropriate,” the minister said. “[Production] is only [from] the oilfields in Upper Nile and Unity states for now, but we have the whole of Jonglei state…[where] there are huge oil deposits.” (CONTINUED - 304 WORDS)
