Sudan to increase oil production to one million barrels per day

September 9, 2010 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan’s petroleum minister disclosed plans to boost oil production of his country to one million barrels per day within the coming three years.

“My objective is if technically feasible to increase the production to 1 million barrels per day within the shortest period which is feasible all other things equal,” said Minister Lual Deng in an interview with Reuters.

He further said this objective can be reached through enhancing the production of the existing wells and finding new oilfields.

Last August, China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), said it has put into operation its crude oil production units in Block-6 in Sudan, including an oil-collecting station with an annual capacity of 750,000 metric tons (tonnes), 18 oil wells and two oil floating stations.

The country producing currently some 480,000 barrels per day while Sudan’s daily consumption has reached 86,000 barrels per day according to the US Energy Information Administration.

Sudan signed last August two deal with Luxembourg based Star Petroleum company to explore Block E which runs through five states in southern Sudan and Darfur and the Finnish firm, Fenno Caledonian with will work in Block 10 located in east northern part of the country.

However, the minister underlined that only the resolution of political problems in the country – Darfur crisis and the implementation of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement – would allow lifting the US economic sanctions imposed since 1997 and attracting oil giant companies.

“I think if we put our house in order people will come,” he stressed.

SUDAN SELLS OCTOBER PRODUCTION

Sudan has sold today three cargoes of September-loading Dar Blend crude via tender at around $9 a barrel below dated Brent.

Sudapet, Sudan’s state oil company sold a 1 million barrel cargo to a European trader and one 600,000 barrel shipment each to Unipec and China oil.

Also the company sold 1.2 million barrels of Dar Blend to FAL Oil.

(ST)