Petronas to start work in south Sudan oil block
January 18, 2008 (JUBA) — Malaysia’s Petronas [PETR.UL] got permission from south Sudan’s government on Friday to begin oil exploration in block 5B, after agreeing to let Moldova’s Ascom Group keep part of the concession, an official said.
“Petronas from tomorrow will move into the location 5B,” the south’s minister for industry and mining, John Luk, said. He is also a member of Sudan’s National Petroleum Commission (NPC), the country’s top decision-making body on oil matters.
During decades of civil war in Sudan’s south, oil contracts signed with the northern government were declared void by the southern rebels, who entered deals with smaller companies like Ascom to begin oil exploration in their areas.
Following a 2005 peace deal, the NPC mediated the conflicts of interest and in July last year agreed Petronas could keep its share in Block 5B provided it allowed Ascom, already working in the area, a share in the venture.
Block 5B lies partly in the swampy Jonglei state. Jonglei governor Kuol Manyang Juuk told Petronas, at a Friday meeting in the south’s capital Juba, that he would allow it access for the first time.
It was not immediately clear what percentage of the concession Ascom would take. “We have a committee to assess… They will come up with Ascom’s investment so that is taken into consideration when determining that share,” Luk said.
Block 5B, covering more than 20,000 square km (7,723 sq miles), is operated by the consortium WNPOC (White Nile Petroleum Operating Company) led by Petronas and including India’s ONGC Videsh
“It was a compromise between the two levels of government (state and national) that Ascom will join the consortium. Ascom will be a part of you, whatever,” Luk told WNPC members.
He said Petronas equipment to conduct seismic testing in the area is already on the River Nile in vessels that would be unloaded in the 5B area on Saturday.
Luk said all petroleum companies should work more closely with the semi-autonomous southern government. “They must have presence in Juba and in the state capitals…for all the companies but starting with WNPOC,” he said.
Around 2 million people died in the north-south conflict that analysts say was partly fuelled by the discovery of oil. Under the peace deal, south Sudan receives 50 percent of revenues generated from wells in the south.
Another company also signed by the former southern rebels, Britain’s White Nile
(Reuters)
John Amule de Lokolong
Petronas to start work in south Sudan oil block
I dont think i have much about this but lets wait and see how thing will be and contribute as they have organised in opinions.
Ayuen Buol mum
Petronas to start work in south Sudan oil block
Unfortunitly the ministry of mining and energy is very weak indeed. the position need a tough and energitic person. I think the GOSS minister must not be panic with the oil companies in the south. Why damping the oil to the north and leaving the south with empty promises by both oil companies and NCP. There are many project being inaguarated by the president, including high ways, bridges and airport etc.
I don’t understand who is who in the south, the Total ,and now is Malaysia petronas and was White Nile that was kick out last year. Are you people joking or just doing the job especially the department of mining and energy in the GOSS. According to me those who holding these position are not qualify to be in those position to run the energy department.
I recommanded Dr Lam Akol to take the position of mining and energy. why let the qualify people be idle.
Thanks
Ayuen Buol [email protected]
Kur
Petronas to start work in south Sudan oil block
My heart aches when I see these kinds of rushes in the oil exploitation in the South.Bringing Malaysian and Chinese companies into the oil business in the South,the GOSS has made an error of judgement. This act is unbearable to me because the Malaysians and the Chinese are there to destroy our environment. I hate these Chinese and Malaysians who have contributed to the destruction of our people during the war. Now they are there to reap the fruits of our own blood. What a shame!
Thomas A. Valter
Petronas to start work in south Sudan oil block
I just wonder whether this decsion is taken by specialized experts in the field of oil contracts jointly with cabinet of ministers under scrutinized studies or by minstry itself to consider necessary measures of environmental impacts.
Today’s compliants arises from those oil areas of forceful displacements due to said environmental impacts and irrespectability of human life by these known oil companies already operating on ground.
So the concerned responsible partner who issues contracts to those oil contractors(companies) should take real measures for safety of our tired southerners from decades of struggle.
Justin Chicago opiny
Petronas to start work in south Sudan oil block
well,since there is no refinery in South
Sudan where the oil is there must be a need for one urgently to creat jobs and for Goss to take control of the oil from the south.
Make good use of the oil now before alternative cheap fuel is introduced especially in the Automative industry.And not only that oil is becoming a common comodity in Africa now.Angola, Nigeria, Ivory coast, Chad and congo are some of the African countries that have large oil deposits found on a commercial basis and there are still more to come since oil exploration is taking place in many African coutries such as Ethiopia and Kenya to mention ,but a few.Do not wait to
build your own refineries and even pipe line and Railway line before the wells run dry and not only that reverse the formula of 50/50 by giving the north the 50% in order not to be pointing a figure at the North and blaming it for failure for development in the south.