Sudanese conglomerate Zoyaal Holding Group has resumed crude oil production at its Fina One project, bringing output back online at an initial rate of 10,000 barrels per day (bpd) after operations were disrupted by the conflict that has gripped the country since 2023.
The restart marks a significant milestone for Sudan’s energy sector, which has faced extensive disruptions following the outbreak of fighting between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the Rapid Support Forces in April 2023. Before the conflict escalated, the Fina One project had been producing approximately 5,000 bpd, but widespread insecurity and damage to energy infrastructure forced operations to halt.
Zoyaal Holding, which operates oil assets in northwestern Sudan and northeastern Libya near Concession 103, also known as the Intisar field in the Jalu-Awjila region, said the production restart was made possible after securing the necessary regulatory approvals and completing extensive technical rehabilitation work on facilities that had remained idle during the conflict.
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Long-term goals
The company plans to gradually increase production over the coming years, with a long-term objective of reaching 100,000 bpd by 2030. The expansion strategy is aimed at strengthening domestic fuel supplies at a time when Sudan continues to struggle with shortages of petroleum products and rising import costs.
Since the outbreak of war, Sudan’s energy industry has experienced severe supply disruptions, logistical challenges and infrastructure damage, forcing the country to depend heavily on imported fuel. The return of production from the Fina One project is expected to provide some support to local supply, although industry experts caution that broader challenges remain.
According to Khalid Hassan, an energy analyst at Zoyaal Holding, prolonged shutdowns created technical difficulties, including equipment deterioration and the need to recalibrate complex operational systems before production could safely resume. He added that energy companies operating in Sudan continue to face obstacles in attracting investment, obtaining spare parts and navigating banking restrictions and currency volatility.
While the additional crude output is expected to ease pressure on fuel imports, analysts note that sustaining production growth will depend largely on security conditions around critical oil infrastructure, transport routes and pipeline networks. The sector’s recovery, they say, will require both operational stability and continued investment to rebuild confidence in Sudan’s energy industry.
