Sudan Looks to Drill 253 Oil, Gas Wells Next Year

Sudan plans to drill 253 oil and gas wells next years in a bid to boost country’s hydrocarbon reserves, oil minister Makawi Mohamed Awad said in his address to the parliament Tuesday, according to Sudan News Agency.

The minister said that plan is to increase oil reserves to 65.4 million barrels and gas reserves to 300 billion cubic feet.

Awad said the drilling of new wells would attract foreign investment and help reduce national debt. He added that the ministry also plans to provide full security to oil and gas supplies, increase storage facilities, update laws and regulations and build comprehensive database, Sudan News Agency reported.

According to Reuter, when South Sudan seceded in 2011, it took with it three-quarters of the former unified country's oil wealth, estimated at 5 billion barrels of proven reserves by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.