Sudan is moving towards signing agreements for industrial, commercial, and oil projects through contracts with major Russian companies as an alternative to Western firms.
The package includes exploring more than twenty oil wells in safe areas, despite the ongoing war since April 2023.Oil and Gas Minister Mohieddin Naim Saad told Al-Araby Al-Jadeed that Sudan has completed the final stages of its agreement with Russia to invest in the energy and oil sector in safe areas, the Red Sea, and western Sudan.The minister highlighted agreed projects, including:
Improving hydroelectric and thermal generation at the Merowe Dam project to provide 120 barrels of fuel daily and Completing the heightening of the Roseires and Sennar reservoirs Bringing modern refineries from Russia to Sudan ,Exploring gas in eastern Sudan, especially in the Red Sea
Saad considered Russia’s presence in the Red Sea important due to modern gas technologies. He mentioned requesting floating ships to enhance electricity production in Port Sudan.
The minister confirmed that a team from both sides will be sent to strengthen the agreements, with results expected soon.
In the electricity sector, an agreement was reached with Russia’s Power Energy to supply turbines for the Merowe Dam hydroelectric power station.
The war has affected 50% of the country’s oil fields. Sudan has 22 independent oil fields, with over 70% located in safe areas in the north, east, Khartoum, and north of Khartoum.
Russian companies have been invited to conduct surveys and exploration in these areas. Total oil production in Sudan has decreased to 20,000 barrels.Sudan exports approximately two shipments of oil every forty days, each shipment equaling about 600,000 barrels, totaling about 1.2 million barrels every forty days.
Experts consider the Sudanese authorities’ move towards Russia, granting oil exploration rights and participation in electricity generation, as the beginning of a new strategic partnership. Oil sector sources confirmed that Sudan has officially presented 22 oil fields to the Russian side, including companies like Rosneft and Gazprom, known for operating in unsafe environments.Observers noted that implementing agreements with Russia would burden Sudan with significant financial obligations amidst the destructive war. Russia benefits from establishing a presence on the Red Sea and controlling part of Sudan’s natural resources, an interest that has existed for decades in the context of international competition for natural resources
