• South Sudan seeks investment to boost oil output amid rising prices
• Production rises near 100,000 bpd, driven by new wells
• Exports disrupted by conflict, oil still 90% of public revenue

South Sudan’s government is seeking to boost oil output through additional investment as crude prices rise, a senior official said.

Chol Deng Thon, undersecretary at the Ministry of Petroleum, outlined the strategy during a press briefing on Wednesday, March 25.

He said increasing production remained a top priority and that higher oil prices strengthened the case for boosting output.

He added that the ministry had held several meetings with operating companies to coordinate activities despite logistical constraints stemming from tensions in the Middle East.

South Sudan’s oil output has recently risen from about 95,000 to nearly 100,000 barrels per day (bpd), according to Thon. This contrasts with data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), which estimates average production at around 79,000 bpd in 2024, down from just over 146,000 bpd in 2023.

Authorities attribute the recent gains to new wells brought online in Blocks 3 and 7 in Upper Nile State. This includes the Al Nahal field, where the W8 well produces about 5,440 bpd. Operator Dar Petroleum Operating Company said it had drilled 16 wells since operations resumed in October 2025, with 12 already producing.

Recovery under pressure

The resumption of oil operations in October 2025 comes as disruptions from the conflict in neighboring Sudan continue to affect South Sudan’s export infrastructure. In May 2025, Agence Ecofin reported that exports were disrupted by a targeted attack that damaged a key pipeline linking oil fields to Port Sudan, the country’s main export route.

In response, authorities have taken steps to secure oil installations and ensure continued flows. In December 2025, an agreement was reached with the Sudanese government and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF) to strengthen infrastructure protection and allow exports to resume safely.

At the same time, South Sudan has moved to revive declining oil fields with support from international partners. In June 2025, authorities reached an agreement with China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) to help restore production at mature fields.

The partnership focuses on redeveloping and optimizing existing capacity, with a technical plan targeting Blocks 1, 2, 3, 4 and 7, which account for most of the country’s production potential.

These efforts aim to gradually restore output after recent disruptions. According to figures published by the French Treasury in September 2025, oil revenue accounts for 95% of exports and generates 90% of public income.

Abdel-Latif Boureima