Sudan poised for second boom

Sudan started producing oil in 1999. At the time of South Sudan’s secession in 2011, the country was producing 500 000 barrels per day. Two years later, the country was plunged into a civil conflict, and oil production dwindled to 75 000 barrels per day.

“We are now emerging out of the situation. The embargo imposed upon us since 1997 by the US is being lifted. We hope that in the second phase of negotiations with the US, we will put this behind us. That will make an important impact in changing our image and attracting investors.”

“The good news is that things are looking up. The fields that produce oil are poised to flow again, like it was before the secession,” Abdelgader said. The oilfields are coming on line again, with the first oil flowing in August.

He said three ministers are now responsible for sorting out Sudan’s energy requirements, so the economy can grow.

“Because we have sunshine almost 365 days a year”,Sudan is looking to add solar power to the energy mix. There is already a small-scale project underway to power the west part of the country, he said.