Heglig, December 30 (Darfur24)
Limited operations have resumed at the strategic Heglig oil field in West Kordofan State after a shutdown that lasted several weeks, following the Sudanese army’s withdrawal from the area and the Rapid Support Forces’ takeover.
Engineers working in the field told Darfur24 that technical teams from the operating company, 2P-UPCO, began the initial phase of restarting production over the weekend. According to the sources, three electrical generators at the power station have been brought back online, while more than 30 oil wells have been restarted as part of the first phase.
The sources added that technical teams are continuing work to gradually resume operations at the remaining wells across the company’s various production blocks.
The Heglig oil field includes approximately 75 oil wells distributed across several blocks and contains the central processing facility for crude oil produced in West Kordofan State and South Sudan. The field is considered one of the most important oil installations in the region.
Oil companies operating at Heglig suspended work on December 8, ahead of the army’s withdrawal and the subsequent control of the area by the Rapid Support Forces.
The Rapid Support Forces took control of the oil field in the early hours of that day after the army withdrew from its positions without armed clashes, allowing the forces to enter the area without resistance.
The sources also disclosed that undisclosed arrangements involving the Sudanese army, the Rapid Support Forces, and the government of South Sudan provide for the South Sudan People’s Defense Forces to assume responsibility for securing oil installations and protecting workers.
According to the sources, South Sudanese forces are currently deployed at the headquarters of Brigade 90, following the army’s withdrawal from the site.