Sudan, South Sudan Claim Oil Production Boon, But How Much?

8 Feb 2019 Issue: 62 / 06

South Sudan’s oil output is up 40% in the past year to 165,000 b/d as a cooperation agreement with Sudan comes to fruition, Juba claims. The figures may be inflated, but any increase in revenue is a welcome boost to two struggling economies.

A resumption of production from fields in former Unity state in the north of South Sudan has boosted overall output to 165,000 b/d, according to the ministry of petroleum in Juba – a 27% increase from 130,000 b/d in November, and up 40% on the average 118,000 b/d of crude sold by South Sudan in January 2018. Oil production figures from Juba during the recent years of conflict have often been inflated, suggesting the increase may not be as sharp as the ministry claims.

The upturn comes as plans hatched by Juba and Khartoum to restart fields that have been shut throughout South Sudan’s five-year civil war begin to take shape. Revenue from South Sudan’s oil is shared by the two governments, both of which are in desperate need of a cash injection. (CONTINUED - 1555 WORDS)