Production resumption at South Sudan’s Unity oilfields is on schedule for December 31, 2018, announced the Minister of Petroleum of South Sudan Hon. Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth and Sudanese operator 2B OPCO yesterday.
Following the resumption of production activities at South Sudanese fields operated by the Greater Pioneer Operating Company in August 2018, the Ministry of Petroleum has turned its focus to the rehabilitation of the Unity fields in the border region with Sudan.
Testing of instruments and electrical systems at the Unity fields and procurement of new equipment is underway, with 80 percent of the necessary manpower already mobilized. Contracts for all 33 wells have been awarded, above-ground inspection and repair is ongoing, and 12 wells have been rehabilitated so far.
Unity and other fields were shuttered due to conflict from 2013. Having secured oil production areas throughout 2018 and signed a new peace deal in October, the Ministry of Petroleum of South Sudan is working with the Ministry of Petroleum and Minerals of Sudan to facilitate the return of oil companies to their license areas to restart operations.
In addition to production operations, the government is working with operators to repair infrastructure. The Unity-South Toma pipeline is now being prepared for testing, with inspection and repairs underway. All manpower has been mobilized for the project.
“Nowhere is South Sudan’s recovery more clear than at the Unity fields. These assets are of enormous importance to the nation and we are working tirelessly with our counterparts in Sudan to bring them back to production,” said Hon. Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth. “2018 will mark the year when South Sudan emerged stronger, with foundations for an oil and gas sector that works for all.”
