In the oil fields of West Kordofan, a region on the border between Sudan and South Sudan, engineers have uncovered a series of large-scale sabotage operations that have severely impacted oil production in the area. The Dafra field, a crucial pumping station for the El Neem oil field, has been targeted by local gunmen, leading to a halt in production and the evacuation of employees by the company.
The sabotage has not only affected the Dafra and El Neem fields but also the Kanar field, with only the Heglig and Bamboo fields managing to continue operations despite the security challenges. The theft of electrical transformer oils and copper cables, as well as the destruction of well operating controllers, has left dozens of wells out of service, causing significant disruptions in the oil production process.
Furthermore, a major rupture in a pipeline carrying crude oil from South Sudan through Sudanese territory to Port Sudan has added to the challenges faced by the oil industry in the region. The Sudanese oil minister has informed Chinese and Malaysian production partners that Sudan will struggle to meet its obligations due to the pipeline rupture caused by a clog in an underground pipeline in territory controlled by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in northern White Nile State.
The Minister of Energy and Oil in Sudan has estimated that the reconstruction of the oil infrastructure destroyed during the ongoing war will cost at least $5 billion. The sabotage of the storage facility at the Khartoum refinery has resulted in the loss of about 210,000 barrels of crude oil, leading to a decline in oil production and the loss of approximately seven million barrels of crude oil.
The disruptions in oil production and transportation have forced Sudan to rely on importing all oil derivatives from abroad, putting pressure on the private sector to obtain foreign currencies at official rates. The escalating costs have further exacerbated the economic challenges faced by the country.
Amidst the chaos, accusations have been exchanged between warring parties over damage to the El Jeili oil refinery, with conflicting reports on the cause of the fire that broke out at the facility. The ongoing conflict in the region has not only disrupted oil production but also posed a threat to the safety and security of workers in the industry.
The situation in the oil fields of West Kordofan highlights the complex challenges faced by the oil industry in the region, with sabotage, theft, and military operations contributing to the disruption of production and transportation. The impact of these challenges extends beyond the oil industry, affecting the economy and livelihoods of people in Sudan and South Sudan.
