ONGC Videsh Ltd on Thursday said that due to the deteriorating security situation in South Sudan, the explorer has decided to temporarily shut down the operations in its oilfields.

“Due to the adverse security situation, OVL in coordination with the Indian Embassy in South Sudan has evacuated all its 11 personnel posted in South Sudan. Other partners of OVL in the assets have also evacuated most of its personnel from the country,” the public sector company said in a statement.

Following the shutdown, the production from the oilfields was completely stopped from December 22.

OVL is operating at two producing assets in South Sudan — Greater Pioneer Operating Company and SUDD Petroleum Operating Company — with participating interest of 25 per cent and 24.125 per cent, respectively.

Greater Pioneer is producing close to 37,000 barrels of oil per day (bopd), including OVL share of 9,250 bopd from Block 1,2,4. SUDD Petroleum is producing close to 4,600 bopd, wherein OVL shares 1,100 bopd from Block 5A.

In Greater Pioneer, OVL’s partners include CNPC, Petronas and Nilepet, while in SUDD Petro, partners includes Petronas and Nilepet.

OVL said it is closely monitoring the security situation in the country and is in constant interaction with its partners in the assets and the Indian Embassy at Juba. Operations will be resumed once the situation is normalised.

The shutdown was executed methodically as per its standard shutdown procedure, ensuring safety of personnel, equipment and smooth resumption of operation immediately after normalisation of the security situation.

>siddhartha.s@thehindu.co.in

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