South Sudan’s Ministry of Petroleum has announced plans to boost crude oil output, taking advantage of favourable global oil prices that have risen above USD 100 per barrel.

Undersecretary Chol Deng Thon revealed the move during a press conference in Juba on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.

He said the government is collaborating closely with international oil partners to scale up production in order to maximise national revenue.

The push comes despite ongoing regional and international challenges, including maritime disruptions in the Middle East linked to the current U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict.

Chol noted that higher prices present a timely opportunity for South Sudan, whose economy remains heavily dependent on oil exports.

South Sudan currently produces around 95,000 barrels per day, down significantly from pre-war levels of over 350,000 barrels per day before the 2013 conflict.

The country has been working to restore and increase production following pipeline disruptions and security issues in recent years.

Oil remains the backbone of South Sudan’s economy, accounting for the vast majority of government revenue.

Officials believe the combination of rising global prices and increased output could significantly improve the country’s fiscal position and support broader economic recovery.

No specific target for the production increase was disclosed during the press conference, but the ministry emphasised its commitment to working with partners to raise daily output as quickly as possible.

The announcement aligns with earlier government statements expressing ambitions to push production beyond 150,000 barrels per day in the medium term, though security concerns, infrastructure challenges, and disputes with Sudan over transit fees continue to pose hurdles.