South Sudan, China to boost cooperation in oil sector

Chinese and South Sudanese officials last weekend emphasized their commitment to resuming and increasing production at South Sudanese oilfields and protecting the environment.

The commitments were made during meetings between executives of the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) and visiting Minister of Petroleum of South Sudan, Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth.

The meetings discussed issues ranging from the resumption of oil production at block 1/2/4, increase of oil production at block 3/7, management of produced water to protect the environment and exploration of new blocks.

Discussions also covered community developmental projects, scholarships and a capacity building program to develop the staff of the Petroleum Ministry and the national oil company Nilepet.

“South Sudan is building a sustainable oil sector that makes investment in our oil and gas blocks more appealing,” Gatkuoth said, adding that resources are recognized to be world class.

As a reminder, South Sudan’s government has allocated 10,000 barrels of its crude oil per day to Chinese firms to build roads in the country.

The economy of the world’s youngest nation is almost entirely dependent on exports of oil. Some of the suspended oilfields due to the conflict reopened in January in Unity region.