South Sudan: Key Heglig Oil Field Resumes Operations

The Heglig oil field in South Sudan, which had been seized by Sudanese paramilitaries, has resumed operations, according to authorities in Juba.

South Sudan's President Salva Kiir announced that the Heglig oil field, where most of the country's oil is produced and processed, is back in operation after being seized by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

The RSF, a paramilitary group in conflict with the Sudanese army since April 2023, had seized the facilities in Heglig, home to South Sudan's largest oil field and the main processing facility for oil exports.

President Kiir's office stated that "all teams of technicians and engineers have returned to Heglig" and that production is "progressing well."

However, according to a source in the Sudanese government, negotiations with Juba over the exploitation of the field have failed. An initial agreement on security had been assigned to South Sudan, but negotiations stumbled over revenue sharing.

Juba maintains a neutral stance towards the warring parties in Sudan. The war is affecting oil exports, while South Sudan has received 2.4 million Sudanese refugees, according to the UN.

It is unclear where the oil will be transported without the approval of the Sudanese government, as the pipeline passes through territories under its control and ends in Port Sudan.

Source: APE