One Resource Is Enough (3/3)

Reality on the Ground

By Amani Abu Fatin

What Sudan needs is the expertise of patriotic Sudanese whose only concern is the advancement of their country. The resources we possess—rivers, groundwater, rainfall, water harvesting opportunities, fertile agricultural land, in addition to livestock, fisheries, and mineral wealth—are only a fraction of what Sudan truly has. With sincere intentions and proper management, Sudan could rank among the world’s leading nations.
The final resource discussed in this series of articles is minerals, of which Sudan possesses an abundance.
Facts and Information
Mineral resources cover approximately 46% of Sudan’s land area and are distributed across the Red Sea region, Eastern Sudan, the Bayuda Desert in Northern Sudan, the Nuba Mountains, the Ingessana Hills in the southeast, the Butana Plains in central Sudan, Northern Kordofan, and Darfur. These regions contain gold, silver, copper, zinc, iron, chromium, manganese, gypsum, marble, and many other minerals. Traditional gold mining activities have expanded significantly in recent years across various parts of the country.
Oil
Oil exploration activities effectively began following the signing of an agreement with the American company Chevron in 1974. Encouraging exploration results in central Sudan led to another agreement with Chevron in 1979. This was followed by agreements with the French company Total and the American company Sun Oil in 1981 and 1982.
Subsequent geological and geophysical surveys conducted across different regions of the country led to the drilling of 95 exploratory wells, including 46 productive wells in fields such as Suakin, Abu Jabra, Sharif, Unity, Talih, Greater Heglig, Adar Yale, and Kaikang, while 49 wells proved dry. However, these discoveries were not immediately followed by significant production activities.
Between 1989 and 1999, the Sudanese government signed agreements with several international oil companies, including the Canadian companies IPC and SPC, Gulf Petroleum Company (GPL), the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC), and a consortium formed in 1997. This eventually led to the establishment of the Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company (GNPOC), resulting in the creation of several exploration ventures across Sudan.
Actual Oil Production
Oil production initially commenced in the Abu Jabra and Sharif fields, followed by Adar Yale and Heglig. By July 1998, Sudan had produced approximately three million barrels of oil. By June 1999, production had reached around 150,000 barrels per day from the Heglig and Unity fields.
Government projections anticipated further increases through the development of newly discovered fields and expanded exploration activities. At one stage, production was estimated at approximately 600,000 barrels per day. However, these figures refer to the period before the secession of South Sudan, which later became an independent state. Notably, around 85% of Sudan’s oil production had previously originated from the South.
The Impact of South Sudan’s Secession
Following South Sudan’s independence, Sudan’s oil production declined to approximately 120,000 barrels per day, of which the state’s share was around 55,000 barrels daily. Production was expected to increase as inactive fields resumed operations and investment in exploration expanded, potentially reaching 180,000 barrels per day and later 320,000 barrels per day by 2030.
Oil Reserves
Sudan’s proven oil reserves were estimated at 6.8 billion barrels in 2010, ranking the country among the world’s leading holders of oil reserves. Proven natural gas reserves were estimated at around one billion cubic meters.
Meanwhile, the Darfur region in western Sudan contains vast and diverse natural resources, including precious minerals such as gold—particularly in Jebel Amer—alongside estimated oil reserves, uranium, magnesium, graphite, and copper.
This overview represents only a summary of Sudan’s mineral wealth. Discussing each mineral individually would require dozens of separate articles. Sudan is immensely rich in natural resources. With sound planning, clear programs, and responsible leadership that understands its national role, Sudan could become one of the world’s leading nations.

May Allah lift His wrath and displeasure from us.
Cairo, June 20, 2026

Amani Abu Fatin
amaniabufteen@gmail.com