South Sudan to Take Possession of First Geophysical Plane

Minister of Petroleum, Hon. Puot Kang Chol.

South Sudan’s Ministry of Petroleum will officially take possession of the first of two geophysical planes – acquired last year – to generate geophysical aerial data and conduct surveys of oil and other mineral deposits in the country. The geological and seismic investigation aircraft will acquire new data over large areas without harming the environment through aerial surveys and mapping, advancing South Sudan’s exploration agenda.

Additionally, the Ministry will open its own data center within the next few months and significantly open new areas of the country to explorers that are looking to participate in the country’s upcoming licensing round, which will serve as the first major exploration campaign to be undertaken by the government.

Having announced the acquisition of the country’s first two geophysical planes in April 2021, the Minister of Petroleum, Hon. Puot Kang Chol, stated that the planes will help South Sudan expand oil and mineral exploration by quantifying the country’s resources and help to accelerate post-pandemic economic recovery.

Seen as a cost-effective manner by which the Government of South Sudan may expand geophysical data over its vastly unexplored reserves, the acquisition of the planes from a British firm will include the training of local pilots to start conducting surveys. Hon. Minister Chol has indicated that the geophysical aerial surveys will boost confidence for investors, allowing them to make well-informed decisions based on knowledge and data.

In addition to conducting geophysical surveys, the planes will also be used for agricultural purposes, assisting farming communities fight locust invasion and other infestations.