Clearing rebels from potentially lucrative oilsites

Sudan is moving to clear rebels from potentially lucrative oilsites. Ansan Wikfs, a partner of Sudan-owned Sudapet, said last July they would begin seismic operations at Block 12A located in a remote area of northern Darfur. Sudapet, Ansan and Saudi Arabia’s Al-Qahtani Group are the joint-operators of Block 12A. It is understood that Chinese companies, which dominate the oil fields in Sudan's centre and south, now want to drill exploration wells in North Darfur but have been barred from starting work by the presence of the rebels. Chinese oil engineers have moved to the area, to join Saudi teams already licensed to search for new deposits. China is Sudan's largest crude customer, buying 60% of its oil. here