(HEGLIG, SUDAN) – RSF Capture of Heglig Oilfield Threatens South Sudan Oil Revenue
Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have taken control of the Heglig oilfield, Sudan’s largest, forcing a full shutdown of production that is vital to both Sudan and neighbouring South Sudan, according to military and oil industry sources.
The paramilitary group described its takeover of Heglig on Monday as a “liberation,” calling the field a key economic target.
A Sudanese engineer working at the facility, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Jakony.com® that production had been stopped and staff evacuated to South Sudan’s Unity State after the RSF overran the nearby army base.
Heglig is a central hub for almost all of South Sudan’s oil exports, which provide nearly all government revenue in Juba. The pipeline carrying oil to Port Sudan is also a significant source of income for Sudan.
The seizure represents a major development in Sudan’s ongoing civil war. After the RSF pushed the regular army from its last positions in western Darfur in late October, fighting has intensified in the resource-rich Kordofan region.
Sudan’s Armed Forces have been attempting to halt the RSF’s advance eastward through Kordofan towards the capital, Khartoum.
The conflict has already resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, displaced 12 million people, and caused widespread damage to infrastructure.
The Heglig takeover raises urgent questions about the future of oil exports. “The resumption of oil production now depends on the South Sudan government dealing with this situation,” the engineer said, noting that most of the oil belongs to South Sudan.
In related violence, a drone strike in South Kordofan last week hit a kindergarten and a hospital, killing 114 people, including 63 children. WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus condemned the “senseless” attack. Sudanese authorities blamed the RSF, though the paramilitary group has not issued a statement on the incident.
“Paramedics and responders were also attacked as they tried to move the injured from the kindergarten to the hospital,” Dr Tedros added on social media.
The RSF already controls other major western oilfields, which were operated by Chinese companies before the war forced their closure. The Chinese National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) recently informed Sudan’s government that it intends to withdraw its investments in the country, according to a letter seen by Radio Tamazuj.
Impact on South Sudan Oil Revenue (Estimated Daily Output)
| Oilfield | Owner | Daily Output (bbl) | Value in SSP | Value in USD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Heglig | South Sudan | 120,000 | 852,000,000 | 120,000 |
| Other Fields | South Sudan | 50,000 | 355,000,000 | 50,000 |
Note: $1 = 7,100 SSP (December 2025 rates).
The capture of Heglig adds further uncertainty to South Sudan’s oil revenue, which underpins its government budget. Analysts warn that prolonged disruption could strain public services and investment plans in Juba.
