KHARTOUM – A group of Saudi companies have expressed their keeness to invest in Sudan oil industry after a meeting between Minister of Petroleum Dr. Awad Ahmed Al-Jaz and a delegation from the office of Prince Fahd bin Muqrin bin Abdul Aziz, where his Special Adviser Ayman Al-Rifai conveyed the desire of a number of Saudi companies to enter the industry, Sudan Vision reported Saturday. Al-Rifai pointed out to the promising possibilities that Sudan enjoys and the efforts to develop the oil industry. Other companies including Hamid Salih Al-Rashid Company and the United Arab Mining Company, also expressed desire to enter into the petroleum industry. The Executive Director of Mining Company Engineer Fadl-a-Hag described investment opportunities in mining field in Sudan as attractive. Al-Jaz welcomed Saudi investments, pointing to the Saudi long history in the field of petroleum. He also stressed the endeavor of his ministry to increase production and development of oil industry, and called on Saudi companies to engage in the development of Port Sudan and Al-Obeid refineries to increase refining capacity in the country. Sudan is currently producing 140,000 barrels of oil per a day which might become during the year, Al-Jaz said earlier. The minister revealed that some oil companies have embarked on production operations after striking deals with the government of Sudan, adding that surveys conducted across the country showed that 40 percent of the country is blessed with huge amounts of oil. “The ministry is seeking to tap this amount to make up for loss of South Sudan oil revenues,” the minister assured, adding that new blocks were discovered in the regions of Kharasan, Hadida and Balila, and the Ministry is making tremendous efforts utilize the discovered amounts to operate Al-Fula Power Station. Al-Jaz further said that a task force from the ministry was set up to prepare studies on how to exploit the newly discovered gas in said regions. Speaking to the National Radio yesterday Friday, Minister of Petroleum said there was an intention to expand Khartoum Refinery, which is producing 100 barrels a day and to promote the refineries of Port Sudan and Al-Obeid so that they could deal with expected huge amounts of oil. “The new oil facilities were constructed purely by Sudanese engineers in addition to the installation of a 150km long Hadida pipeline to the treatment location,” said the minister in a reference to national expertise in petroleum. “Oil industry is a national trade that knows no regionalism or tribalism,” stressed the Minister in another reference to tribalism and regionalism challenge oil exploration operations are faced with. — Agencies
