Indonesia’s Medco Eyes Sudan’s Energy Sector

SANA’A, Yemen, Sept 15, 2003 (Asia Pulse) — Indonesian private oil company Medco is to engage in the oil sector in Sudan, a company spokesman said here.

“Sudan has considerable energy potential,” said Bambang Purwohadi, Medco’s business development coordinator, here on Friday.

Bambang came to Sana’a as a member of the entourage of Vice President Hamzah Haz who is making a nine-day tour of Sudan, Oman, Yemen, the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.

In Khartoum on Thursday, Hamzah and Sudanese Minister Reasearch and Technology Minister Toha Muhammad Zubair witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between Medco and Sharaf International.

Sharaf International is Medco’s partner in Sudan.

Bambang said under the MoU with Sharaf International, Medco would develop Sudanese energy potentials and explore possibilities of engaging in pipeline production.

The Indonesian company would also participate in oil drilling bids.

Medco was hoping to begin its actvities in Sudan next year, he said.

Touching on Sudan’s oil potential, Bambang said the African country was producing 250,000 barrels per day (bpd) and striving to increase the figure to one million bpd.