Russian oil producers are interested in Sudan

By Vestnik Kavkaza

Russian oil and gas companies are showing an interest in the exploration of fields in the Republic of Sudan. The Minister of Oil of the Republic of Sudan Awad Ahmed Al –Jaz met the Minister of Energy of Russia Alexander Novak and the heads of oil, gas and service companies.

“We have held a series of intensive meetings and negotiations with oil and gas companies at various levels, and we found out about each company separately, what the needs and the possibilities of these companies are,” Awad Ahmed Al –Jaz stated. “We also had a conversation with the leadership of the Chamber of Commerce of the Russian Federation. We have also dealt with the development of cooperation between the chambers of both countries, as well as with the Arab countries in general, and paid attention to joint action in various economic, commercial and industrial areas of our cooperation.”

Speaking about the prospects of cooperation, Awad Ahmed Al –Jaz noted that Sudan invited Russian Minister of Natural Resources and Minister of Energy to visit the country. “The oil industry really needs modern technology. And we recognize that Russia really is a pioneer in this field, and it has modern technology. Therefore, our conversation with the Minister of Energy, with the staff, the companies started with the fact that we asked them to exchange experience in this area to ensure that we are able to benefit from your experience and to provide the relevant companies the opportunity to get acquainted with the situation here, and above all, to take benefit from the collaboration with research and academic centers. And we appreciate the fact that in Russia there are such centers. And it's really important for us, since we are interested in how to use the potential of such centers. And we welcome, we hope, that members of these centers will visit Sudan and look at the essence of those problems on the ground,” Awad Ahmed Al –Jaz said.

“Sudanese oil is one of the best in its technical characteristics," he went on. "It is comparable to the best samples of oil. Of course, the share of oil and other metals among the components is also compliant. I hope, generally speaking, that the possibility of investing in this sector is extremely high. But we, on the other hand, would like to benefit from the Russian experience and reduce the path that we can overcome if we do not benefit from it, in order to quickly develop the oil sector. We would like to develop extraction, production and service work, as they say, at all levels. The main thing is that if the Russian partners were looking for Sudanese partners, I think there would be no problems. We are ready to provide all the possibilities. And we are ready to sign a document with any person who is willing to cooperate with us.”

South Sudan became independent from Sudan two years ago, after which a military conflict started between them as they couldn’t agree on borders, dividing the state debt, and oil export. A year ago the military conflict was stopped.

Oil production is the main economic sector of South Sudan – explored oil resources in the country include 7 billion barrels. In February 2013 South Sudan offered Gazprom International to take part in its oil and gas and infrastructural projects.