Partial Operations Resume at Heglig Oil Field 

Recently, partial operations have been resumed at the Heglig Oil Field after a weeks-long shutdown, following the Sudanese Armed Forces’ withdrawal from the area and the Rapid Support Forces’ takeover. 

Engineering sources working at the field stated that technical teams from (2P-UPCO) began initial operations at the field’s facilities yesterday, as three generators at the power station were activated, in addition, more than 30 oil wells were back in operation as a first phase. Moreover, technical efforts are ongoing to resume operations in the remaining wells in the company’s various production blocks. 

The Heglig Field contains approximately (75 oil wells) distributed across several production blocks. Furthermore, it houses the central processing facility for oil from the state of West Kordofan and the Republic of South Sudan, making it one of the most strategically important fields in the region. 

Companies operating in Heglig Oil Field in West Kordofan state had shut down their facilities on (December 8th), prior to the Sudanese Army’s withdrawal and the subsequent Rapid Support Forces’ complete control of the area. 

The Rapid Support Forces (RSF) seized control of the Heglig Oil Field in the early hours of that morning, following the Sudanese Army’s withdrawal from its positions without any armed clashes, which naturally allowed the RSF to enter the area unopposed. 

Sources indicated that unannounced arrangements between the Sudanese Army, the RSF, and the South Sudanese government stipulate that the South Sudan People’s Defence Forces (SSPDF) will assume responsibility for securing the oil facilities and protecting the personnel working there. The sources further confirmed the presence of (SSPDF) at the 90th Brigade headquarters following the Sudanese Army’s withdrawal.