South Sudanese government forces are carrying out security operations in Unity State to clear oil fields of threats, according to an official of the Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC).

GPOC operates the largest oil field in Unity State with 126 wells. The company was forced to carry out a ‘sequenced shutdown’ from 19-22 December, after fighting broke out in the state and the company staff began an evacuation.

Beny Ngor Chol, a manager of GPOC in Unity State, told Radio Tamazuj that the fields are not yet fully secure and also that oil facilities sustained damage during events of the last few months, since the defection of the SPLA 4th Division in December.

“There are fears that the rebels might be somewhere around, but our forces, the government forces, are now in Unity (field) and other areas and two days ago they reached up to Hufra, which is called Toma South,” also known as Kaloch.

According to the oil company official there is still no resumption of production and there will be none within the next month or more. “At the moment the production has been ceased, so we are not producing as we speak,” he said.

He further explained that security is not yet guaranteed for return of the oil workers: “The resumption plan is there, the only thing is that we want to guarantee first that we want the security to be maximal in the area so that the production can start. So that preparation is underway so within the next couple months to come it is in our plan that the production will come to line.”

As part of these preparations GPOC sent some staff recently back to the oil fields, including to Pariang County. “We have mobilized some security individuals – they are actually in the field – and some of our production team they are there right now,” said Chol.

Damaged facilities

Not only GPOC but also Sudd Petroleum Operating Company (SPOC), the operator of Tharjath field, have been shut down completely.

Asked whether production could resume within the next month, Chol said, “not really, we have to do some repair and maintenance.”

“You know, when we talk of resumption, it does not mean that we go today and then the oil starts flowing. There are technical issues that need to be put in place because properties are destroyed and some of the facilities were damaged and need some maintenance,” he said.

Chol added, “we need to do other technical (work), flushing and so, and then from there we check the pylon conditions, and it will take some time. And then we have to mobilize our technicians here within Southern Sudan and outside, those who are working in the field. So that will take a while.”

Related coverage:

Oil workers face evacuation after 16 killed in Unity State clashes (19 Dec.)