Joint talks between Khartoum and Juba began Sunday in Khartoum to develop cooperation in the field of petroleum, discuss technical and financial arrangements and increase oil production.
The Sudan News Agency (SUNA) reported that discussions will also review challenges encountered in the implementation of previous agreements to set a framework for renewing the agreements.
A high-level delegation headed by the South Sudanese Undersecretary of the Ministry of Petroleum Awou Daniel Chuang, finance ministry officials, and several technicians arrived in Khartoum, Sudan for the talks.
The Sudanese Minister of Energy and Petroleum, Engineer Mohamed Abdullah, stressed that the talks will focus on the renewal of agreements for the transportation and processing of South Sudan’s crude oil, which expired in March this year.
Abdullah acknowledged that the previous agreements were marred with political ad technical challenges resolved in a friendly manner by the two sisterly nations.
He said the talks will also discuss the need to increase oil production in both countries by developing oil infrastructure for their common interest.
SUNA further quoted South Sudan’s Daniel as saying that they will discuss the economies of the two countries that are heavily dependent on oil production.
Currently, South Sudan produces roughly 150,000 to 170,000 barrels of crude oil a day, exported via Sudan.