(JUBA) – The Caretaker National Minister of Petroleum, Hon. Eng. Awow Daniel Chuang, has called for increased oil production and the replenishment of reserves through stronger exploration activities.
The call came during a courtesy visit to the joint operating companies on Wednesday, 14th October 2026.
The visit was aimed at strengthening partnership and operational oversight, according to the Ministry of Petroleum.
It was also meant to assess production performance, in line with the Ministry’s mandate as a regulator.
The Minister was accompanied by Dr. Santino Ayuel Longar, the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Petroleum.
Eng. Kon John Akot, a senior technical adviser, and Eng. Lual Chol Dak, Director General for Petroleum Exploration and Production Authority, were also in the delegation.
During the meeting, Eng. Awow Daniel Chuang said declining production curves require new investments to prevent the depletion of the country’s oil reserves.
The joint operating companies visited were DPOC, GPOC, SPOC and JOCS.
Dar Petroleum Operating Company operates Blocks 3 and 7. Its consortium includes the China National Petroleum Corporation, Petronas and Nile Petroleum Corporation, which holds 8% equity.
DPOC currently contributes about 65% of South Sudan’s total oil production, according to a July 2026 briefing to President Salva Kiir. Production in Blocks 3 and 7 rose from 90,000 barrels per day to more than 100,000 barrels per day.
Greater Pioneer Operating Company operates in Blocks 1, 2 and 4. Its shareholders are CNPC with 40%, Petronas with 30%, ONGC with 25% and Nile Petroleum Corporation with 5%.
GPOC increased production from 44,000 barrels per day to 60,000 barrels per day, the highest level recorded since it began operations in South Sudan in 2005, according to a June 2026 statement from the Presidency.
Sudd Petroleum Operating Company operates in Block 5A. Its partners are Petronas with 67.8%, ONGC with 24.2% and Nile Petroleum Corporation with 8%.
SPOC’s fields are currently in shutdown mode.
South Sudan’s proven oil reserves stand at 3.5 billion barrels, according to industry reports. Current national production ranges between 70,000 and 100,000 barrels per day.
The Ministry of Petroleum said the visit was part of efforts to manage the relationship between the government and the joint oil operating companies.
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