Sudan lowers oil production figures
January 9, 2014 (KHARTOUM) – The Sudanese oil minister Makkawi Mohamed Awad said that his country’s production of oil is at 130,000 barrels per day (bpd).
The number contrasts with ones given by his longtime predecessor Awad al-Jaz last month who said that Sudan is producing 150,000 bpd.
Prior to the country’s breakup, Sudan produced close to 500,000 barrels but the south, which broke away in 2011, held more than three quarters of the oil reserves.
On Thursday Awad met with the Norwegian ambassador to discuss a recent accord signed for cooperation in oil and gas sector.
The minister hailed the benefits gained by Sudan through the oil boom it witnessed including the increase in number of national oil companies and qualified oil workers.
He noted an offer made by Khartoum to Juba to send Sudanese oil workers to prevent any possible oilfields shutdown in the wake of the conflict engulfing the young state.
The Norwegian envoy on his end said that his country is prepared to offer technical expertise in oil and gas sector through training and other means.
(ST)