January 22nd 2019 (Nyamilepedia) – The governments of Sudan and South Sudan on Monday officially launched the long-awaited resumption of oil production in Unity Oilfields of Unity State’s Rubkona county.
Oil production in Unity State was forced to shutdown in December 2013 following the outbreak of the ongoing civil war which forced foreign workers to leave and left the oilfields in Unity, Tharjath, among others, contested by the warring parties.
Last September, South Sudan government and opposition groups signed a revitalized version of a 2015 peace deal which collapsed a year after making a chance for South Sudan to resume its oil production in Unity region.
The agreement which is meant to end the ongoing five-year old conflict was reached after both parties were pressured into reaching a deal by regional and international powers who then gave delegates until August 5th dateline to reach a deal.
“Today, Honorable Ambassador Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth, Minister of Petroleum of the Republic of South Sudan accompanied by senior management of the Ministry, CNPC, PETRONAS, ONGC and NILEPET Representatives, representatives of Northern Liech State from Transitional National Legislative Assembly (TNLA), representatives of Greater Pioneer Operating Company (GPOC), representatives from local and international contractors, representatives from local and international press launched the Oil Production in Unity Oilfields,” said a statement issued by the office of South Sudan’s Petroleum Minster.
The statement issued on Monday following the launch, said the ceremony was also attended by the Sudanese Minister of Petroleum and Mining as well.
“Minister Gatkuoth was joined by Excellency Azhari A. Abdallah, Minister of Petroleum and Minerals of the Republic of Sudan and 2B Operating Company (2B OPCO) to celebrate together the official launching of the Resumption of oil production at Unity Oilfields,” said the statement seen by the Nyamilepedia.
