Oil production in South Sudan’s Upper Nile state is steady, pumping about 165,000 barrels per day, a government official said Friday.

This assertion comes following reports that the oil production in Upper Nile state has dropped to 120,000 barrels per day owing to the ongoing conflict.

Before the crisis the state was pumping 190,000-200,000 b/d.

Petroleum and Mining Ministry Undersecretary Machar Achiek Adeer told Radio Tamazuj blocks 1, 2, and 4 at Tharjiath and Pariang areas in Unity state have stopped production.

The official predicted the resumption of oil production in Unity state soon except block 5, which he said was entirely vandalized.

In March 2014, South Sudanese rebels led by former vice president Riek Machar announced their intention to capture key oil installations in Upper Nile to force President Salva Kiir to step down.

Photo: AFP

For breaking news updates from Radio Tamazuj ‘like’ our page on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, or subscribe to our RSS feed.