MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Oil-rich South Sudan seceded from what is now the Republic of Sudan in 2011. Khartoum estimates that the loss of the southern oilfield brought oil production volumes down to some 150,000 of barrels a day from a previous half a million barrels per day.
"Actually, we are planning to expand, although the prices are going down," Ambassador Nadir Babiker told RIA Novosti, adding his country imports oil byproducts like gasoline for the needs of its agricultural industry.
The envoy added that gas production will be increased as natural gas is considered by some to be a green energy source. The country will offer certain areas Sudan’s Red Sea area to investors for extraction exploration, Babiker said.
Russia and the Republic of Sudan maintain a strong economic and political partnership. Last week, the countries agreed on dozen of contracts including those for geological mapping to extract Sudan’s resources.
