South Sudan’s Ministry of Petroleum has announced that oil production and exports from Blocks 3 and 7 will resume on Wednesday, 8 January 2025. This follows the official lifting of the Force Majeure by the Government of Sudan, which had suspended operations in February 2024 due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
A letter from South Sudan’s Ministry of Petroleum to DAR Petroleum Operating Company Ltd (DPOC) confirmed the resumption of operations. The letter referred to the official lifting of the Force Majeure, which was declared by the Government of Sudan on 15 February 2024. The letter further acknowledged the resolution of disruptions caused by the damage to oil infrastructure in Sudan, particularly the pipeline, which was severely affected by the fighting between the Sudan Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) that began in April 2023.
The Sudanese government, along with Basher Pipeline Company (BAPCO), officially lifted the Force Majeure on 4 January 2025. This decision allows for the resumption of oil production and exports from Sudan to South Sudan. In response, the Ministry of Petroleum has directed DPOC to restart production operations immediately, with production scheduled to begin on 8 January 2025.
The flow of crude oil through Sudan’s pipeline has been a critical route for South Sudan, as it relies on this infrastructure to export its oil. The resumption of operations represents a significant step toward stabilizing the oil sector in South Sudan, which has faced challenges due to the conflict in neighboring Sudan.