Santino Ayuel Longar, the Undersecretary in South Sudan’s Ministry of Petroleum|Photo Credit-Courtesy

The Ministry of Petroleum has announced an increase in crude oil production, bringing total daily output to 174,000 barrels from a previous estimate of 100,000 barrels.

Addressing reporters in Juba, Santino Ayuel Longar, the Undersecretary in the Ministry of Petroleum, said crude oil production has risen despite the decline of oil fields in Blocks 1 and 4S, which lose an estimated 25 percent of production annually.

He attributed the growth to residual oil recovery studies, field development, drilling activities, and infrastructure upgrades that added more than 6,100 barrels per day to overall output.

“With nearly three decades of production history, we are producing more when in fact, in the case of GPOC, the decline rate stands at approximately 25% annually,” Longar said. “Without intervention, technological solutions, and management practices, production and consequently revenue would have suffered decline.  However, the contribution from infrastructure delivering initial productivity exceeding 6,171 barrels per day demonstrates the effectiveness of leadership and the dedication of the team from about 44,000 barrels per day in years past, marking a recovery for the consortium operating the oil fields.”

Eng. Lual Chol Dak, Director General of the Petroleum Authority, announced during the press conference that the daily oil production stands at 174,000 barrels.

“We make it clear to members of the press that we currently have six operational blocks,” Dak said.”These include Dar Petroleum in Blocks 3 and 7, in Palouch. Nile-Pet produces 2,000 barrels per day. GPOC operates in three blocks 1, 2, and 4 in Unity State, with a combined production of 60,000 barrels per day. Additionally, SPOC is operating in the Tharjiath Oil Field, producing about 14,000 barrels per day. In total, the country’s daily oil production is 174,000 barrels. We are working to alter this output beyond current levels.”