Gazprom Neft mulls developing oil, gas block on shelf of Sudan

MOSCOW, Dec 12 (PRIME) -- Russian oil major Gazprom Neft is considering taking part in development of oil and gas block 13 on the Red Sea shelf in Sudan, according to a protocol of the Russian–Sudanese intergovernmental commission seen by PRIME on Wednesday.

“The sides welcome an agreement between Gazprom Neft and Sudan’s state oil corporation on studying geological potential of block 13 of the Red Sea,” the document said.

The document also said that Russian oil company Zarubezhneft will return to discussion with Sudan of the terms of joint implementation of projects on blocks 25 and 17 in the country.

“The sides noted with satisfaction the readiness of Zarubezhneft and Sudanese partners to start a detailed assessment and discussion of possible terms of joint implementation of projects on the blocks 25 and 17,” the protocol said.

In 2015, Zarubezhneft was interested in a project to develop oil and gas blocks 8 and 2-A-E in Sudan, as well as blocks 25 and 17. Production on the blocks 25 and 17 is being held by Sudan’s state oil and gas company Sudapet. Sudan’s former Petroleum Minister Mohamed Zayed Awad said earlier that Zarubezhneft could buy stakes in the project to develop these blocks, but later announced that the company dropped participation in the project due to decreased oil prices.

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