Sudan’s Oil Industry Collapses as Conflict Forces Shutdown of Major Fields
Sudan’s energy sector is in freefall as the nation’s largest oil field at Heglig has been completely shut down, with all staff evacuated amid escalating violence that has now entered its third year. The December shutdown of Heglig, combined with widespread attacks on pipelines, refineries, and storage facilities including oil depots in Port Sudan, has crippled the country’s ability to produce and distribute fuel.
The country’s largest refinery near Khartoum, which once supplied most of Sudan’s diesel, gasoline, and liquefied petroleum gas, remains completely offline. This has forced Sudan to rely heavily on expensive imported fuel that is increasingly scarce due to the conflict’s disruption of regional supply chains.
Sudan’s finance ministry reports that oil revenues have plummeted by more than fifty percent compared to pre-conflict levels, decimating a crucial source of government income. Industry experts warn that the combination of lost refining capacity and continued infrastructure attacks is creating a severe fuel shortage, leaving ordinary Sudanese citizens struggling to access essential energy products. The crisis highlights how prolonged fighting is not only destroying lives and livelihoods but also threatening the stability of Sudan’s most vital industries.
Source: africanews.com
