Sudan’s Oil Infrastructure in Ruins as RSF Attacks Leave $20 Billion in Damage
Sudan’s acting energy undersecretary says militia assaults destroyed oilfields, pipelines, and refineries, collapsing production and forcing full dependence on fuel imports.
Sudan’s energy and oil undersecretary, Mohieldin Naim Mohamed Saeed, said militia attacks have “completely destroyed” the country’s petroleum infrastructure, leaving losses exceeding $20 billion and halting nearly all domestic production.
Saeed confirmed that Sudan now imports 100% of its fuel needs after militia forces stormed and destroyed oilfields, refineries, and storage depots across the country.
He said the destruction of the Khartoum Refinery, once responsible for 60% of domestic demand, marked the “total collapse” of Sudan’s energy sector.
“The militias entered the oilfields, looted equipment and cables, and even burned the ministry headquarters,” Saeed said. “We lost every component necessary for oil production.”
210,000 barrels lost before refinery destruction
Before its destruction, the Khartoum refinery had already ceased operations after militias sabotaged its crude storage facility, resulting in the loss of 210,000 barrels of crude oil. Subsequent fires engulfed the refinery’s petrol and gas storage units, wiping out much of the country’s strategic reserves.
Distribution depots in Al-Jayli north of Khartoum, used by private and public oil companies, were also burned, leading to what Saeed described as “a complete loss of refined products.”
The refinery was torched in April 2024 as the Sudanese Armed Forces advanced to retake the site.
Production collapse and halted exports
Sudan’s daily oil output has plummeted from 47,000 barrels before the war to below 20,000 barrels.
“The militias’ incursion into production fields forced us to suspend operations at the Heglig central station to protect staff and what little remained,” Saeed said.
The damage also disrupted South Sudan’s oil exports, which depend on Sudan’s pipelines and processing facilities. Repeated attacks—most recently at Heglig and Ailafoun pumping station—have forced Sudan to suspend the flow of South Sudanese crude.
Despite this, Saeed noted that cooperation between Khartoum and Juba remains intact.
“We are committed to maintaining oil transit through Port Sudan, but security developments dictate operations,” he said.
Imports replace domestic supply
Sudan’s total annual fuel consumption has fallen by half since the war began, from 6 million tonnes to around 3.2 million tonnes, according to ministry data. Saeed attributed this partly to higher domestic fuel prices after subsidy removals, which curbed consumption and smuggling.
“Today, all our needs are covered through private-sector and government imports,” Saeed added. “The refinery’s loss left no alternative but complete reliance on external supplies.”
Plans for reconstruction
The undersecretary has said that the ministry has prepared three postwar scenarios: one for continued conflict, one for recovery after peace, and a long-term rehabilitation plan running to 2030.
Mr Naim concluded that despite the devastation, Sudan’s Ministry of Energy has its plans prepared and will restore the industry. The immediate focus, he said, would be to rebuild the Khartoum refinery, reopen damaged fields such as Heglig and Baleela, and re-establish export flows through Port Sudan.
He also confirmed that Chinese, Indian, and Russian oil firms have expressed interest in returning once security conditions improve, but no exploration activity has taken place since 2023.
“Our long-term vision extends to 2030,” he added, “but its success depends entirely on security and sustained political will.”
Reporting by Awad Mustafa