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The Ministry of Petroleum says the government is working to increase crude oil production to at least 200,000 barrels per day by this time next year.

Undersecretary of the Ministry of Petroleum, Dr Santino Ayuel Longar, says current production stands at around 175,000 barrels per day following recent increases in several oil-producing areas.

“In total we are producing about 175,000 barrels a day in South Sudan, every single day. So that is a significant increase from what it used to be, probably around when its significant decline was 100,000 barrels a day,” he said, speaking to Eye Radio in an exclusive interview.

“But the fact that we have added significant volume to give it up to 175 barrels a day, it means that is a significant increase, and we are making tremendous efforts to ensure that by this time next year we should be producing 200,000 barrels a day at least,” he explained.

Dr Ayuel said some oil fields are ageing and their production is declining.

He said the government is working with operating companies to use modern technology to improve production and efficiency.

Dr Ayuel said the increase has been supported by improved production in several oil-producing areas despite the ageing of some fields.

He said production in the DPOC concession area has increased from about 96,000 barrels per day to an average of 102,000 barrels.

Production by SPOC has also increased from around 9,000 barrels to between 13,000 and 14,000 barrels per day.