South Africa Issued Tender for South Sudan Oil Survey
Contractors may now bid for a 1,700-square-kilometre terrain survey in the Bor-Twic region.
Updated on Oct. 10, 2026 in Oil and Gas
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The South African National Petroleum Company has reopened the bidding process for a terrain survey of Block B2 in South Sudan under request for proposals SANPC/2026/015. This development marks a move to restart project operations after a three-year pause caused by Covid-19.
Why it matters
The survey aims to provide the geological data necessary to plan a future 2D seismic exploration for potential oil-bearing rock layers. Securing this mapping is a required step for operators looking to move the project toward an eventual appraisal and drilling phase.
The project represents a joint interest with the Strategic Fuel Fund holding a 90% stake and Nile Petroleum holding 10%. To date, R330 million has been invested in the block, though the final cost of the survey contract itself remains subject to the current bidding cycle.
The players
South African National Petroleum Company
The state-owned entity tasked with managing and developing South Africa's hydrocarbon interests and regional energy partnerships.
Nile Petroleum
The national oil corporation of South Sudan responsible for managing the country's petroleum sector and joint venture interests.
Strategic Fuel Fund
A subsidiary of South Africa's Central Energy Fund that manages strategic crude oil stocks and international exploration assets.
Cyril Ramaphosa
The President of South Africa who is currently overseeing bilateral economic and energy agreements with regional partners.
Salva Kiir
The President of South Sudan who is coordinating long-term energy infrastructure development and regional oil export strategy.
The details
The terrain survey utilizes a combination of satellite imagery and localized ground checks to map the topography of the Bor-Twic region. Successful bidders will coordinate field access points along the Pibor highway to execute the survey. This phase serves as a precursor to identifying viable zones for future oil exploration activities.
Timeline
September 30, 2026: Request for proposals issued on national portal.
October 7, 2026: Presidents Ramaphosa and Kiir met in Pretoria.
October 9, 2026: Compulsory online bidder briefing held.
October 21, 2026: Deadline for submission of project proposals.
December 2026: Scheduled elections in South Sudan.
Market Landscape
This tender follows the precedent set by the force majeure declaration regarding the Covid-19 project delay, which officially paused the asset's development for three years. The move signifies a formal restart of regional energy cooperation following recent high-level diplomatic meetings.
Operators bidding on the survey should account for the project's history of force majeure delays and the logistical requirements of field work along the Pibor highway. Monitor the outcome of the South Sudan elections in December 2026, as political stability will influence the pace of future drilling.
The takeaway
The move to restart the Block B2 survey indicates a renewed commitment to long-term exploration despite previous operational interruptions. Bidders must ensure their proposals explicitly address current safety and access protocols for the Bor-Twic region to meet the October 21, 2026, deadline.
Further reading
For broader trends in regional energy development, see our coverage in Oil and Gas.
Source note: This article includes information reported by The Rio Times.
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