South Sudan government on Tuesday launched the nation’s second international oil and gas conference, a gathering aims at attracting prospective investors from global energy firms.
The first oil conference was held in October 2017.
In his opening statement at the three-day oil conference in Juba, South Sudan First Vice President Taban Deng Gai told the oil companies and investors to be mindful of environmental pollution while investing in the oil sector.
Gai expressed his government’s interest to develop the country’s oil industry.
Meanwhile, South Sudan’s Petroleum Minister Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, said: “This year is better than last year. We have mobilized a lot of companies in investing in the Republic of South Sudan, not only in the oil industry but in different areas.”
Sudanese Oil Minister Azhari Abdallah said the two countries plan to sign a cooperation deal that would allow experts in the oil sector to exchange visits.
“I am pleased to announce that South Sudan’s first crude oil is now ready for shipment in Port Sudan,” he said.
In August, South Sudan resumed pumping of crude from Toma South oilfield, where production had been stopped since the civil war erupted in December 2013.
A final peace deal was signed by President Salva Kiir and several opposition groups in September in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa.