Heglig
Encyclopedia
Heglig is a small town in West Kurdufan
state in central Sudan
, near the border with Southern Sudan. The area was contested during the Sudanese Civil War
. The South Sudanese Sudanese People's Liberation Army (SPLA) rebels attacked the oil rigs of Heglig to damage this important source of revenue for the Sudanese government.
, a rift basin which contains much of Sudan's proven oil reserves. The Heglig oil field was first developed in 1996 by Arakis Energy (now part of Talisman Energy
). Today it is operated by the Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company
. Production at Heglig is reported to have peaked in 2006 and is now in decline. The Heglig oil field is connected to Khartoum
and Port Sudan
via the Greater Nile Oil Pipeline
.
In July 2009, the international organization, Permanent Court of Arbitration
(PCA) redefined the boundaries of Abyei
, a county that lies in between Southern Sudan and Northern Sudan
. The decision placed the Heglig and Bamboo oilfields in Northern Sudan district of South Kurdufan
but the decision though did not specify oil sharing. Based on the decision, the Government of Sudan announced they would not share any oil revenue with the Government of Southern Sudan, as the (PCA) established that Heglig was a part of the North.
West Kurdufan
West Kurdufan was formerly one of the 26 wilayat or states of Sudan. It had an area of 111,373 km² and an estimated population of approximately 1,320,405...
state in central Sudan
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
, near the border with Southern Sudan. The area was contested during the Sudanese Civil War
Sudanese Civil War
The term Sudanese Civil War refers to at least two separate conflicts:*First Sudanese Civil War - 1955–1972*Second Sudanese Civil War - 1983–2005...
. The South Sudanese Sudanese People's Liberation Army (SPLA) rebels attacked the oil rigs of Heglig to damage this important source of revenue for the Sudanese government.
Heglig oil field
Heglig is situated within the Muglad BasinMuglad Basin
The Muglad Basin is a large rift basin in Northern Africa. The basin is situated within southern Sudan and covers an area of approximately 120,000 km2. It contains a number of hydrocarbon accumulations of various sizes, the largest of which are the Heglig and Unity oil fields...
, a rift basin which contains much of Sudan's proven oil reserves. The Heglig oil field was first developed in 1996 by Arakis Energy (now part of Talisman Energy
Talisman Energy
Talisman Energy Inc. is one of Canada's largest petroleum SB companies. Based in Calgary, Alberta, Talisman Energy has operations around the globe including: Canada and the United States of America in North America; Colombia and Peru in South America; Algeria in North Africa; United Kingdom,...
). Today it is operated by the Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company
Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company
The Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company is a petroleum exploration and production company operating in Sudan. It was incorporated on 18 June 1997 and undertook construction of the Greater Nile Oil Pipeline which links Sudan's inland oil fields with refineries at Khartoum and Port Sudan.The...
. Production at Heglig is reported to have peaked in 2006 and is now in decline. The Heglig oil field is connected to Khartoum
Khartoum
Khartoum is the capital and largest city of Sudan and of Khartoum State. It is located at the confluence of the White Nile flowing north from Lake Victoria, and the Blue Nile flowing west from Ethiopia. The location where the two Niles meet is known as "al-Mogran"...
and Port Sudan
Port Sudan
Port Sudan is the capital of Red Sea State, Sudan; it has 489,725 residents . Located on the Red Sea, it is the Republic of Sudan's main port city.-History:...
via the Greater Nile Oil Pipeline
Greater Nile Oil Pipeline
The Greater Nile Oil Pipeline is an important oil export pipeline in Sudan. It extends for approximately of which approximately 1.8 kilometres is submarine. It was constructed by the Greater Nile Petroleum Operating Company and commenced operation in 1999...
.
In July 2009, the international organization, Permanent Court of Arbitration
Permanent Court of Arbitration
The Permanent Court of Arbitration , is an international organization based in The Hague in the Netherlands.-History:The court was established in 1899 as one of the acts of the first Hague Peace Conference, which makes it the oldest institution for international dispute resolution.The creation of...
(PCA) redefined the boundaries of Abyei
Abyei
The Abyei Area is an area of in Sudan accorded "special administrative status" by the 2004 Protocol on the resolution of the Abyei conflict in the Comprehensive Peace Agreement that ended the Second Sudanese Civil War. The capital of Abyei Area is Abyei Town...
, a county that lies in between Southern Sudan and Northern Sudan
Sudan
Sudan , officially the Republic of the Sudan , is a country in North Africa, sometimes considered part of the Middle East politically. It is bordered by Egypt to the north, the Red Sea to the northeast, Eritrea and Ethiopia to the east, South Sudan to the south, the Central African Republic to the...
. The decision placed the Heglig and Bamboo oilfields in Northern Sudan district of South Kurdufan
South Kurdufan
Southern Kordofan is one of the 15 wilayat or provinces of Sudan. It has an area of 158,355 km² and an estimated population of approximately 1,100,000 people . Kaduqli is the capital of the state...
but the decision though did not specify oil sharing. Based on the decision, the Government of Sudan announced they would not share any oil revenue with the Government of Southern Sudan, as the (PCA) established that Heglig was a part of the North.