In six to eight weeks, South Sudan is expected to resume exporting its heavy sweet Dar Blend crude oil through the Petrodar pipeline to the Bashayer Marine Terminal in Port Sudan. Since February, stoppages have hindered the pipeline’s transportation of around 100,000 barrels per day (bpd) for export through Sudan.
As stated by South Sudan’s Finance Minister, Awow Daniel Chuang, to Argus Media, the pipeline will undergo repairs while the country continues to rely on the Greater Nile Pipeline to carry its Nile Blend crude oil from the Jath and Mala oil fields to the Bashayer terminal for export.
The pipeline has suffered gelling issues, leaks, and pressure drops, primarily because of diesel shortages, which are used to heat and dilute the crude to help it flow.
Maintenance challenges in Sudan due to conflict have made it difficult to conduct the necessary upkeep. Consequently, South Sudan’s crude production decreased by half to approximately 80,000 barrels per day (bpd) in March, down from its previous level of around 150,000 bpd.
