Africa-Press – South-Sudan. The Ministry of Petroleum has announced the full resumption of crude oil exports, days after two drone attacks on the Heglig and Al Jebeleen oil facilities forced an emergency shutdown of key infrastructure.
In a statement issued Wednesday, Eng. Deng Lual Wol, the Undersecretary in the Ministry of petroleum confirmed that transportation and processing of crude oil have returned to normal following rapid repairs carried out by joint technical teams from South Sudan and Sudan.
The first incident occurred on November 13 at around 14:30, when an unmanned aerial vehicle launched three missiles at the Heglig Central Processing Facility, striking the maintenance workshop and laboratory.
One staff member from 2B OPCO was killed in the attack.
Petrolines for Crude Oil Co. Ltd. immediately ordered operating companies GPOC and SPOC to halt operations, and 2B OPCO declared force majeure shortly after.
Pump Station One and all related facilities were placed on emergency shutdown.
A second drone attack on November 15 targeted the Al Jabalyn Central Processing Facility and its power plant. Bashayer Pipeline Company activated its Emergency Control Centre and initiated a full shutdown to protect workers and infrastructure.
Despite the disruptions, the Ministry of Petroleum said the government remains determined to secure national oil assets.
“The Republic of South Sudan is unwavering in its commitment to safeguarding its vital oil facilities and ensuring the stability of production, which is the backbone of our economy,” said Lual.
Technical teams drawn from the Ministry of Petroleum, Dar Petroleum Operating Company, Greater Pioneer Operating Company, Sudd Petroleum Operating Company, the Sudanese Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, BAPCO, PETCO, and 2B OPCO were deployed immediately after the attacks.
Eng. Lual said the teams “worked tirelessly to assess the damage and restore operations as rapidly as possible.”
Repairs were completed on November 16, allowing for the restart of the Heglig Power Plant, the Heglig Central Processing Facility, and Pump Station One. SPOC’s export operations were not interrupted during the crisis and continued at 240,000 cubic meters.
With key facilities back online, the Ministry said crude is once again flowing normally from South Sudan through the established pipeline system to the Marine Terminal in the Red Sea.
“We assure the public that crude oil export from South Sudan has been fully restored, and operations in the Paloch, Unity, and Tharjiath fields have returned to normal,” the Ministry said.
The statement also noted that wells temporarily suspended in the Paloch area have successfully resumed production following safety checks and system restoration.
The Ministry expressed gratitude to all companies and technical experts involved.
“We extend our appreciation to our partners for their swift and professional response, which minimized the impact of this incident on our national economy,” it said.
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