South Sudan’s SPOC Targets 16,000 bpd from Block 5A in 2023

Following the signing of peace agreements in South Sudan in 2018 and the formation of a Unity government in 2020, the country’s leading Joint Operating Companies (JOCs) have resumed production across major oil fields, ushering in a new era of energy growth and economic revitalization. In 2021, the Sudd Petroleum Operating Company (SPOC) became the final JOC to announce resumption, with production at the Thar Jath field reaching 5,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2022. As SPOC looks to stabilize and increase production while bringing other fields online again, the company is looking to partner with private sector companies to meet production targets.

SPOC operates South Sudan’s Block 5A, which has a production capacity of up to 80,000 bpd of high-quality Nile blend. In addition to increasing production at the Thar Jath field, the company has announced intentions to restart production at the Mala field in 2023. Despite initial production targets of 30,000 bpd by 2025 and 45,000 bpd by 2028 – once four field development projects have been completed – an adjusted timeline is being considered. With a targeted production of 16,000 bpd from both fields by 2023, SPOC is focused on addressing infrastructure challenges and resolving technical issues to ensure a timely start-up.

Considering the prolonged shutdown of South Sudan’s oil fields due to civil conflict in the country, domestic oil and gas infrastructure is in need of immediate attention. Notably, technical issues regarding pipelines and electrical and mechanical instrumentation must be addressed in order to kickstart production, with SPOC having already established a dedicated “Reliability and Integrity” department.
In this regard, SPOC is looking to connect with stakeholders at the fifth edition of the country’s official energy event, South Sudan Oil & Power (SSOP) 2022, taking place in Juba on September 13-14. During SSOP 2022, SPOC will be looking for companies to collaborate and partner with, as the JOC seeks to ensure long-term, sustainable production.

Under the theme, “Gateway to East African Energy” and in official partnership with the Government of South Sudan, the Ministry of Petroleum, the Ministry of Energy and Dams and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, SSOP 2022 represents the official energy event and meeting place for the oil, gas and power industries of South Sudan. This year, the event centers on the country’s strategic location in the region and its role in expanding the pipeline of East African exports to global markets.