South Sudan Hopes To Return Oil Output To Pre-War State With Help Of Russian Firms

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South Sudan Hopes to Return Oil Output to Pre-War State With Help of Russian Firms

South Sudan could use the help of Russian oil companies to return the African country's oil production to a pre-war state, South Sudan's ambassador to Russia, Chol Tong Mayay, told Sputnik on Thursday.

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 08th November, 2018) South Sudan could use the help of Russian oil companies to return the African country's oil production to a pre-war state, South Sudan's ambassador to Russia, Chol Tong Mayay, told Sputnik on Thursday.

In September, the country's government and opposition signed a peace agreement, ending a five-year conflict and paving the way for the rebuilding effort.

"The current running fields, the capacity they produce is around 130,000 barrels a day, but because of war. We used to produce 350,000 barrels a day. That's why we are talking about enhancements because we want to take it back to that capacity. Of course the new areas [are] to be explored, we cannot determine what quantities will be found," the ambassador said.

When asked if Russian companies could help achieve this target, Mayay said, "Right [they could].

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The ambassador said a memorandum of understanding had been signed with Russia's Zarubezhneft. South Sudan could offer some oil fields for the Russian company to explore or to "enhance the currently operating oil fields, oil wells," Mayay said.

"Gazprom has sent some requests requiring some more information. They sent it to the Ministry, I have forwarded it, and based on that they will come and discuss the opportunities. Likewise, LUKOIL is also interested, and the same with Rosneft. They would like to know the details," the ambassador said.

Mayay added that South Sudan's Ministry of Petroleum was organizing an energy forum this month and could invite some of the Russian companies.