Sudan says oil production is at 150,000 bpd

December 2, 2013 (KHARTOUM) – Sudan is currently producing around 150,000 barrels per day (bpd) but security situation in some oil fields is posing challenges, oil minister Awad al-Jaz said today.

In a statement before the national assembly, al-Jaz said that the ministry’s goal is to bring oil production to 260,000 bpd and boost natural gas reserves to 1 trillion cubic feet of which 56% are recoverable in blocks 2, 4 and 6.

Last month, al-Jaz told Reuters that Sudan will auction five oil blocks in December.

Sudan is believed to have been producing 140,000 bpd for most of 2013 and was pushing hard to reach 150,000 bpd since last year.

The minister pointed out that the shortage in foreign currency and reluctance of the finance ministry to fulfill Sudan’s obligations towards its partners in the oil sector had a negative impact on the performance of companies in the petroleum sector.

Al-Jaz also noted that economic sanctions blocked Sudan’s access to equipments and modern technologies including software.

He stressed that his ministry aims to Sudanize employment in the oil sector, and emphasized that they are adopting policies aimed at increasing production rates by expanding exploration and monitoring its progress.

The top energy official said that this strategy dashed the hopes of those who had their eyes set on dealing a blow to the nation’s economy in light of the secession of South Sudan in July 2011.

Prior to the country’s breakup, Sudan produced close to 500,000 barrels but the south held more than three quarters of the oil reserves.

(ST)