South Sudan is seeking to strengthen technical partnerships and expand domestic supplier capacity as it pursues an ambitious programme to increase oil production, develop petroleum infrastructure and unlock new exploration opportunities. The country’s plans to raise crude output from approximately 174,000 barrels per day to 230,000 barrels per day in the near term are creating potential opportunities across engineering, exploration, logistics, construction, equipment supply and technical services.
With 14 exploration blocks available and a longer-term production target of 450,000 barrels per day, the government is looking to attract international expertise while increasing the participation of domestic companies in the petroleum value chain. Achieving these objectives will require investment, technical capabilities, infrastructure development and stronger cooperation between operators, contractors and local enterprises.
These opportunities will take centre stage at the seventh edition of the South Sudan Oil and Power (SSOP) conference, scheduled for 24–25 November 2026 in Juba. The event is expected to bring together service providers, engineering contractors, technology companies, legal advisers, training institutions and project developers to explore partnerships and commercial opportunities across the upstream, midstream and downstream segments of the industry.
The conference programme will include technical workshops, high-level panel discussions and project showcases aimed at connecting companies with emerging petroleum projects and translating investment interest into practical business opportunities.
South Sudan’s recent bilateral and corporate agreements demonstrate its efforts to combine international technical expertise with the development of physical infrastructure. In July 2026, the Ministry of Petroleum signed a memorandum of understanding with UAE-based Bianchi Gold Trading Investment Company, establishing a framework for cooperation in exploration, midstream storage, refining, technical studies and workforce capacity building. If these initiatives advance, they could generate demand for engineering contractors, construction companies, technical consultants and equipment suppliers.
Exploration activities are also creating opportunities for specialist service providers. The South African National Petroleum Company (SANPC), through its subsidiary Strategic Fuel Fund, is advancing preparations for exploration at Block B2 in Greater Jonglei State. Following an aerial geophysical survey covering approximately 47,000 square kilometres in 2024, the company has pursued terrain reconnaissance services in preparation for a planned two-dimensional seismic campaign.
The work highlights potential opportunities for geophysical specialists, surveying companies, logistics providers and technical contractors capable of supporting exploration in challenging operating environments. SANPC Chief Executive Officer Godfrey Moagi is also scheduled to participate in SSOP 2026.
Beyond exploration, proposed petroleum infrastructure projects could create additional demand for industrial services and technical partnerships. The national oil company, Nile Petroleum Corporation, is pursuing plans for a proposed 350-kilometre crude oil pipeline connecting the Tharjiath oilfields in Block 5A with the Paloch oilfields in Blocks 3 and 7. Refinery development and wider downstream expansion plans are also part of the country’s ambitions.
If implemented, these projects would require significant engineering, construction, equipment procurement, transportation and operational support. They could also create opportunities for companies specialising in pipeline systems, storage facilities, industrial maintenance and energy infrastructure.
A central element of South Sudan’s strategy is the development of local content and greater domestic participation. The country’s Petroleum Act provides a framework intended to ensure that petroleum activities generate benefits for local communities and domestic enterprises through employment, procurement and equity partnerships. Local Content Regulations introduced in 2019 further establish obligations aimed at strengthening the participation of South Sudanese businesses in the oil and gas sector.
The government is also investing in its institutional and regulatory capabilities to improve oversight and ensure that petroleum agreements serve national development priorities. In May 2026, the Ministry of Petroleum partnered with the African Legal Support Facility and international law firm Pinsent Masons to organise specialised technical workshops for government officials.
The training focused on petroleum contract negotiations, fiscal framework design and regulatory compliance. Strengthening these areas is important as the country seeks to negotiate investment agreements, manage petroleum revenues and retain greater economic value from its natural resources.
For domestic companies, the expansion of the petroleum industry presents an opportunity to move beyond basic support services and develop specialised capabilities that can compete within the wider regional energy market. Partnerships with international operators could facilitate technology transfer, workforce training and access to technical standards required by major oil and gas projects.
SSOP 2026 is expected to serve as a platform for connecting these companies with operators and project developers. Through technical sessions and executive networking, participating businesses will have opportunities to explore potential contracts, establish local and international partnerships and position themselves for work across exploration, production optimisation, refining and petroleum transportation.
As South Sudan pursues its production targets, the challenge will be to translate its resource potential into sustainable economic benefits. Expanding technical capacity, improving infrastructure, strengthening local content and attracting responsible investment will be essential to ensuring that the country’s petroleum ambitions contribute to broader economic development.
