A pumpjack drilling crude oil. (Credit: ded pixto/Shutterstock)

The Undersecretary of the Ministry of Petroleum says the government is working closely with Sudanese authorities to increase oil production at the Block 5A oil field in Unity State.

Dr. Chol Deng made the remarks while speaking yesterday in Port Sudan, where he was part of a high-level government delegation led by Presidential Advisor on National Security Affairs, Tut Gatluak Manime.

The delegation travelled to Port Sudan last week to deliver a message from President Salva Kiir to Sudan’s Head of State, Abdel Fattah Alburhan.

Speaking on the state-run South Sudan Broadcasting Corporation (SSBC), Dr. Chol said the two countries also discussed measures to facilitate the return of oil companies to Heglig and ensure the smooth operation of oil fields in the area.

He added that both governments are committed to working together to guarantee a steady flow of oil to the international market.

“The meeting discussed in detail the possibilities of increasing production in block 5A in SPOC and we are working jointly right now with the Sudanese wo ensure that the technical team from GPOC, SPOC, 2BAPCO return to Heglig and operate the oil field smoothly,” he said.

Block 5A, which includes the Tharjiath oil wells, is operated by the Sudd Petroleum Operating Company, one of the oil-producing consortiums in the country.

The visit by the South Sudanese delegation followed a tripartite agreement between South Sudan and Sudan’s warring parties; the Sudan Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

Under the agreement, South Sudan was tasked with securing the oil installations in Heglig, also known as Panthou, after the RSF took control of the area, forcing Sudanese army units to withdraw into South Sudan.

The Panthou oil field lies along the border between South Sudan and Sudan and hosts key processing facilities for South Sudan’s crude oil, which is transported to Port Sudan through a pipeline.