As South African President Cyril Ramaphosa conducted a state visit to South Sudan, South Africa’s Strategic Fuel Fund (SFF) took a significant step forward in the petroleum exploration campaign within Block B2. The SFF, operating as a partner of South Sudan’s national oil company Nilepet in the Nile Orange joint venture, held official discussions with Nilepet in Juba to brief them on the progress made in aerial exploration and environmental surveys.
The exploration campaign, concentrated in Jonglei state, has seen the completion of an extensive geophysical survey covering 47,000 square kilometers, marking the largest survey ever conducted in South Sudan. The success of this survey, carried out by the South Sudan Geophysical Company (SSGC), was commended by KB Trivedi, leader of the South African delegation.
Looking ahead, the focus will shift towards an environmental impact assessment, with site visits planned in Bor, the capital of Jonglei. Trivedi also provided insights into the merger of three South African state companies into the new South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC), emphasizing the importance of petroleum and mining projects in South Sudan as part of future bilateral engagements.
Nilepet’s Managing Director Bernard Makeny expressed confidence in the partnership and highlighted the significance of the environmental impact assessment. He also emphasized Nilepet’s commitment to the mining sector, noting the establishment of a subsidiary in this field.
In further collaboration, Nilepet and SFF will participate in the South Sudan Oil & Power 2024 conference, alongside the inaugural South Sudan Mining Forum, scheduled for June 25-28 in Juba. Organized by Energy Capital & Power, this event serves as the premier investment platform for South Sudan’s energy and mining sectors, underscoring the ongoing commitment to advancing these vital industries.
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