The Ministry of Petroleum (MOP) of South Sudan Monday wrote to DAR Petroleum Operating Company Ltd (DPOC), a consortium of oil exploration and production companies, indicating that oil production in Blocks 3 and 7 and exports will resume on Wednesday 8 January.
A letter dated 6 January from the petroleum ministry to DPOC seen by this publication said the Force Majeure declared by the Government of Sudan on 15 February 2024 has been lifted.
“Reference is made to the above mentioned-subject, and to the letter from the Minister of Energy and Petroleum (MEP) of the Republic of Sudan dated 4 January 2025 and the letter from Basher Pipeline Company (BAPCO) pertaining to the official lifting of the Force Majeure by the Government of Sudan that was declared on 15 February 2024 and the indemnity letter issued by MoP and Coordination task force formed by the parties,” the letter reads in part. “The Ministry of Petroleum and Partners are pleased to bring to your kind attention the official lifting of the force majeure by the Sudanese Government and Basher Pipeline Company (BAPCO) which is an essential milestone towards the resumption of the crude oil operation and export of Block 3 and 7.”
“In this regard, the Ministry of Petroleum and Partners are hereby directing DPOC to kick-off resumption of crude production and operation as early as 8 January 2025,” the statement added.
The flow of South Sudan’s crude oil through the Sudanese pipeline was disrupted after the infrastructure was damaged and compromised early in 2024 due to the ongoing war between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) which erupted in April 2023.