Exports were due to have started from the new terminal earlier, but because of ongoing pipeline work the plan was pushed back, putting a cap on Sudan’s crude exports.
Sudan Energy Minister Awad Ahmed al-Jaz said in June that Dar Blend exports stood at 200,000 bpd, while total Sudan production was running at 500,000 bpd.
The Dar Blend field is operated by Petrodar, a consortium comprising China National Petroleum Corp. (CNPC) with a 41 percent stake, Malaysia’s Petronas with 40 percent, and state oil firm Sudapet with 8 percent.
China Petroleum & Chemical Corp. (Sinopec) holds 6 percent of Petrodar, while Al Thani Corp., a private company incorporated in the United Arab Emirates, owns 5 percent.
European trader Vitol was selected in 2005 to market up to 3.6 million barrels a month of Dar Blend crude, but that contract is expected to end within the next few months. Jaz said that Sudan was expected to sell its share of the Dar Blend production via tenders to be held every three months.
China is the largest buyer of Dar Blend crude.
Sudan is planning to export as much higher-quality Nile Blend crude as it can, while processing maximum volumes of the high-acidity Dar Blend and exporting oil products.
Source: Sudan Tribune
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