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Sudan has announced the shutdown of its key Heglig oil processing facility following a series of drone attacks allegedly carried out by the Rapid Support Forces (RSF). The decision was communicated in a formal letter from Sudan’s energy ministry to its South Sudanese counterparts, seen by Reuters.
The Heglig facility, located near Sudan’s southern border, serves as the main hub for processing South Sudanese oil, a critical source of revenue for the young nation, accounting for the majority of its government income.
According to Sudan’s energy ministry, the facility was targeted by drone strikes on August 26 and August 30, prompting immediate security concerns. The ministry cited the attacks as posing “a serious threat to the stability of oil flows from South Sudan” and stated that operations could no longer continue safely.
Prior to the outbreak of conflict between the Sudanese army and the RSF in 2023, Sudan processed between 100,000 and 150,000 barrels of South Sudanese oil daily for onward export. The ongoing war has already disrupted this flow, and the shutdown is expected to further strain South Sudan’s fragile economy, which heavily depends on oil revenues for budgetary support.
The letter instructed Sudanese companies 2B OPCO and PETCO, which operate in the Heglig region, to evacuate staff and cease operations. PETCO, one of the key operators, warned it would be unable to meet its planned lifting schedule due to the shutdown.
“Their continued operation despite ongoing attacks by the RSF will render them inoperable in the long run,” the letter emphasized.
The closure comes at a sensitive time for both Sudan and South Sudan, as oil trade remains a cornerstone of their interdependent economies. While Sudan accuses the RSF of orchestrating the attacks, the paramilitary group has not yet issued an official response. South Sudanese authorities and the operating companies have also not commented on the matter.
Analysts warn that prolonged disruptions could deepen economic instability in both nations, potentially fueling further unrest and complicating ongoing regional peace efforts.