‘West Kordofan’s oil production to be increased’: Minister

The Sudanese Oil Minister, Makawi Mohamed Awad, has confirmed that his ministry’s priority is to increase the oil production in the country. The minister, during a visit to the Star Oil field in Block 17 in West Kordofan last week, stated at a press conference that the planned increase includes expanding the number of explorations and seismic surveys, drilling new wells, and upgrading of the existing wells. This will be done by using the most sophisticated technologies, he added.   According to the Sudanese daily, Akhir Lahza, the minister affirmed the cooperation of the West Kordofan State government and its parliament, the security forces and the police, “who are working hard to provide the technical aids and technologies. He also pointed to “the possibilities of Sudan to develop its oil industry, because of its expertise, experienced technical staff, its oil installations and promising reserves”.Awad praised the citizens living near the oil fields, who had given their permission to use their land for drilling operations and thus contributed to the development of the nation. He also commended the security, military, and police troops protecting the oil fields. The West Kordofan Commissioner of Oil Affairs, Himeida Mohamed Ismail, said that they are working constantly to remove “all obstacles that could hinder the work of the oil companies”, as well as to provide services to the citizens in order “to contribute to the stability of their lives”. On 12 December Radio Tamazuj reported that the Business Monitor International in its newest energy report outlook was most pessimistic about the possibilities for Sudan. “The future of Sudan’s oil production in the coming years is worse than of South Sudan, but both countries will face a decline in oil production after 2016.” Business Monitor International stated in its Oil & Gas Report Q1 2014 that “Despite ambitious plans and the start of small fields in Sudan, the upstream outlook is even more bearish”, and concluded that “We continue to view South Sudan as more prospective than Sudan, although we highlight there may be sizable untapped reserves in the Red Sea, where Khartoum has been pushing operators to accelerate their exploration activities.” File photo: Oil storage facility in Unity State, South Sudan (Charlton Doki/ Upperniletimes.net)  Related:Adila oil company disrupted by strike, East Darfur (10 January 2014) ‘Real share of petrol’ for West Kordofan: MP demands (30 December 2013) ‘Economic disaster for Sudan if South Sudan conflict continues’: expert (22 December 2013)