South Sudan announced that crude oil exports have resumed after drone strikes on two Sudanese facilities forced a temporary shutdown. Petroleum Ministry Undersecretary Deng Lual Wol said pipelines to Port Sudan are operating again and that production in the Paloch, Unity and Tharjiath fields has been restored. The attacks — attributed to the Rapid Support Forces — damaged Heglig and Al Jabalyn, killed one worker and prompted temporary halts while safety checks were completed. Leaders from both countries are seeking third-party help to deter further strikes and protect the export corridor.
South Sudan Restarts Oil Exports After Deadly Drone Strikes in Sudan; Key Fields Back Online
South Sudan announced that crude oil exports have resumed after drone strikes on two Sudanese facilities forced a temporary shutdown. Petroleum Ministry Undersecretary Deng Lual Wol said pipelines to Port Sudan are operating again and that production in the Paloch, Unity and Tharjiath fields has been restored. The attacks — attributed to the Rapid Support Forces — damaged Heglig and Al Jabalyn, killed one worker and prompted temporary halts while safety checks were completed. Leaders from both countries are seeking third-party help to deter further strikes and protect the export corridor.
12:51 AM, 11/20/2025Economy
Juba — South Sudan has resumed transporting and exporting crude oil after drone attacks on two Sudanese oil facilities briefly forced a cross-border shutdown, Petroleum Ministry Undersecretary Deng Lual Wol said Wednesday.
"Operations across all oil fields in South Sudan have returned to normal," Lual told reporters, adding that crude is again flowing through pipelines toward the Port Sudan export terminals on the Red Sea. He said operations in the Paloch, Unity and Tharjiath fields have been restored.
The disruption began last week when drones struck the Heglig oil processing facility near the Sudanese border. The attack damaged Heglig’s maintenance workshop and laboratory and killed one staff member. A second strike on Nov. 15 hit the Al Jabalyn processing site farther east and damaged its power plant, prompting oil companies operating in both countries to halt output while safety assessments were carried out.
The ministry praised technical teams from South Sudan and Sudan for their swift response. "Their rapid action minimized the impact of these incidents on our national economy and ensured the protection of vital oil assets," Lual said.
Officials said leaders from both countries are engaging a third-party nation to help deter further attacks on oil infrastructure inside Sudanese territory. Lual emphasized the corridor’s strategic importance: "Protecting the pipeline and export route is essential for both nations. As a landlocked country, South Sudan has the right to access seaports under international law."
Analysts say the reprieve is critical for South Sudan’s finances and regional energy stability, as most of the country’s crude depends on pipelines crossing Sudan to reach Red Sea terminals. Authorities continue security and damage assessments to prevent future disruptions amid the broader conflict in Sudan involving the Rapid Support Forces (RSF).