The Minister of Petroleum has ordered oil companies to resume production in the different blocks in the former Unity State.

Ezekiel Lol Gathkoth asked the Greater Pioneer Petroleum Operation Company and the SUDD Petroleum Operating Company to submit their plans and budget required for the resumption of the production.

The Undersecretary in the Ministry of Petroleum, Mohamed Lino, addressed a press conference following a meeting with representatives of oil companies in Juba yesterday.

“Regarding the oil production in Upper Nile in Paluoch, and also on the oil resumption production in Unity, they have checked on all challenges that are facing the operation. And set away forward on how to resume oil production in Unity among which was to open the border with Sudan and also benefit from Higllig base camp and also power plan and these are the things that will be requested from Sudan to assist,” he said.

“We also touched on the increase of production in Upper Nile and also a number of challenges which are facing the production. A technical team is set to work out on how to overcome these challenges,” he added.

The Country Manager of China National Petroleum Company, Jia Yong, said they will increase production in Upper Nile and also resume production in the former Unity State.

“CNPC have a long term strategy with the Government of South Sudan and we will do our best to support the increase of the production in Upper Nile State and also the resumption in the Unity oil fields. As CNPC we have been playing important role to contribute for economic development in South Sudan,” he said.

During the visit of the First Vice President Taban Deng Gai to Khartoum on Sunday, the government of Sudan promised to assist South Sudan with technical expertise to enable it resume oil production.