Sudanese minister says oil production increased in 2006

May 9, 2007 (KHARTOUM) — Sudanese Minister of Energy and Mining Awad Ahmed al-Jaz has told the federal parliament that production of crude oil during 2006 has reached half a million barrels daily, the national TV reported.

In a statement before the National Assembly on May 7, al-Jaz said that production of crude oil had touched 500,000 barrels per day in 2006. Sudanese TV reported that the increase was due to additional production from Blocks 3 and 7 in the provinces of Upper Nile and White Nile state, Block 5a in Wihdah state, and Block 6 in south Kordofan state.

“in the second half of 2006, with the addition of production from Blocks 3 and 7 in the provinces of Upper Nile and White Nile states, and the start of production at Block 5a in Al-Wihdah State, and increased production in Block 6 in South Kordofan State. Secondly, two-dimensional surveys covered 11,477 kilometers, in addition to 1,786 square kilometers surveyed.” He said.

The minister also said that 66 exploratory wells were drilled, in addition to 21 wells to define location and 181 developmental wells. This resulted in adding another 212.5 million barrels to the country’s oil deposits.

The output contributed to meeting requirements of petroleum products during the past year, despite progressive increases in consumption and the quantities exported of surplus crude oil and benzene.

The Minister said the second phase of expansion at the Khartoum refinery was completed, with the country’s refining capacity reaching 115,000 barrels daily.

Last April, the Sudanese president told the parliament that Sudan’s oil output is expected to reach 600,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2007. al-Bashir said the rise would come through new fields coming on stream.

Sudan’s finance minister had said average oil production for 2007 will run at 520,000 barrels per day (bpd) as new fields that were delayed last year are now fully on stream.

(ST)