Sudan is facing up to the impact of a worsening energy crisis, with oil fields being forced to shut down and refineries ceasing operations amid a hugely damaging armed conflict which has persisted for nearly three years.
In December, the fighting led to a complete shutdown of production and the evacuation of all staff in the Heglig oil field, Sudan's largest oil site. It came as almost all oil fields in major oil-producing regions of central and western Sudan have been forced to halt operations due to the extent of the civil war, which erupted between the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in April 2023.
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Sudan faces deepening energy crisis as oilfields shutdown amid continuing conflict
Sudan faces deepening energy crisis as oilfields shutdown amid continuing conflict
Sudan faces deepening energy crisis as oilfields shutdown amid continuing conflict
Sudan faces deepening energy crisis as oilfields shutdown amid continuing conflict
Data from Sudan's finance ministry shows that the country's oil revenue has fallen by more than 50 percent compared to pre-conflict levels.
"The conflict and its damage have severely impacted Sudan's oil industry. Various oil infrastructure facilities, including refineries and pipelines, have been damaged, and even oil storage facilities in Port Sudan was attacked by drones," said Mohamed Alnair, an economist.
The Khartoum refinery, located near the capital Khartoum, is Sudan's largest refinery, with its diesel, gasoline, and liquefied petroleum gas production once supplying about 70 percent of the country's needs. However, the refinery was severely damaged in the fighting and remains completely shut down.
Amid the prolonged war, dwindling state revenues, and damaged infrastructure, insiders say that the increasing reliance on oil imports following the conflict has further weakened Sudan.
"[There is] no way for refining our production in Sudan, so we are 100 percent dependent on imports. And now the imported products -- diesel, benzene, gas -- have been affected by these attacks on the depots. We face a shortage of refined products, which really impacts the people in Sudan," said Ayman Al-Goukh, an oil industry expert.
The impact of the war -- which has now raged for more than 1,000 days -- is being felt more widely. Since 2024, gasoline and diesel shortages have gradually spread from the conflict-ridden central and western regions to relatively safer areas like the Red Sea State in the east.
Many gas stations have closed, and those still operating frequently experience supply disruptions, leaving residents waiting in long lines. The fuel shortage has also triggered power outages. Currently, most parts of Sudan experience lengthy power cuts each day, severely disrupting daily life.
Though the eastern coastal city of Port Sudan is located far from the main conflict zone, its residents have also felt the pinch of the energy crisis, as transportation and living costs have been on the rise, while many say they are going without electricity for multiple hours every day.
"The power, electricity is out for six to eight hours each day. The heat here, the temperature is normally 30 (degrees Celsius) and in the summer it comes to 50 (degrees Celsius). We hope peace comes to Sudan as soon as possible and life returns to normal," said Amin, a local resident.
Sudan faces deepening energy crisis as oilfields shutdown amid continuing conflict
Sudan faces deepening energy crisis as oilfields shutdown amid continuing conflict
Sudan faces deepening energy crisis as oilfields shutdown amid continuing conflict
Sudan faces deepening energy crisis as oilfields shutdown amid continuing conflict
