A delegation led by the Minister of Petroleum, Ezikiel Lol Gatkuoths says South Sudan is expected to sign the extension of the cooperation agreements with Sudan today in Khartoum.

The cooperation agreements include oil, border demarcation, and financial compensation for the independence of South Sudan. Under the agreement, South Sudan pays an average of 24.5 US dollars per barrel to Sudan in transit fees and financial assistance.

The Ministry of Petroleum says South Sudan is currently producing 130.000 barrels daily. The total amount South Sudan was to pay under the deal is more than three billion US dollars over three and half years since the signing in September 2012.

In a statement sent to newsrooms by the press team of the delegation in Khartoum, the agreement is expected to end this month. However it does not explain the reasons and the duration of the extension.

The delegation left Juba for Khartoum on Sunday to discuss oil and other economic issues under the agreement. It includes officials from the Central bank, Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, members of parliament and technical staff from the state oil firm, Nilepet.

According to the statement, the ream was received in Khartoum by the Sudanese Minister of Petroleum and Gas and the South Sudanese Ambassador. They are expected to sign the extension today.