Sudan: Fire at a Major Oil Refinery, Responsibility Disputed

The Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) have accused each other of setting fire to a major oil refinery near Khartoum, escalating tensions in a conflict that has been ongoing for several months.

Share:

A fire that ravaged a major oil refinery located 71 kilometers north of Khartoum has sparked a war of words between the Sudanese army and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF). Each side has blamed the other for the attack, amplifying the accusations of an escalation in the conflict.

According to an official army statement, the RSF was responsible for setting the refinery on fire in what was described as a “desperate attempt” to destroy the country’s oil infrastructure, following several failed attempts to seize control of national resources. The army emphasized that this act was part of a broader strategy to further destabilize Sudan.

On the other hand, the RSF accused the Sudanese army of being behind the destruction. They claim that airstrikes, launched with barrel bombs, targeted the refinery in the morning. For the paramilitaries, this act is part of a series of “war crimes” committed by the army since the start of the conflict.

Witnesses on the ground reported seeing large plumes of smoke darkening the sky around the oil facility. This site is one of the largest oil refineries in the country, playing a strategic role in the nation’s energy supply.

Escalation of the Military Conflict in Khartoum

The refinery fire comes amid intensifying fighting in Khartoum. This week, the Sudanese army announced progress toward the north of the capital, specifically toward Khartoum North (Bahri), where it is carrying out military operations to expel the RSF from their strategic positions. This offensive follows the recapture of Wad Madani, the capital of Al-Jazira State, located in central Sudan.

The Sudanese army has reinforced its positions in the north and east of the country, while the RSF continues to control key areas in the west, particularly in Darfur, as well as in Kordofan in the south. The war has already claimed tens of thousands of lives, and more than 12 million people have been displaced, making this crisis the largest humanitarian catastrophe recorded in the region.

Economic and Humanitarian Impact

The attack on the refinery and the escalating military violence are having major repercussions on Sudan’s economy, particularly in the oil sector. The sector represents a significant portion of the country’s revenue, and the destruction of crucial infrastructure hampers production and export capabilities.

The country, already grappling with a severe economic crisis, is also suffering the effects of prolonged political instability, with a divided government and a civil war threatening to further paralyze the economy.

Regional Geopolitical Consequences

The confrontation between the army and the RSF extends beyond Sudan’s borders, affecting the Sahel region and northeastern Africa. Neighboring countries, already facing tensions and challenges related to managing refugee flows, are closely monitoring the evolution of the conflict. Sudan’s increased instability is likely to cause a massive exodus of populations fleeing the war, while also fueling regional tensions.

This situation adds to the strategic issues related to natural resources, particularly oil, which is essential for both the country’s and the region’s economic stability. International actors, including neighboring countries and global powers, continue to closely monitor the war, although their ability to influence Sudan’s internal dynamics remains limited.

Petro-Victory Energy announces the completion of drilling operations for the AND-5 well in the Andorinha field, Brazil, with positive reservoir results and next steps for production.
The Colombian prosecutor’s office has seized two offices belonging to the oil company Perenco in Bogotá. The company is accused of financing the United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC) in exchange for security services between 1997 and 2005.
Indonesia has signed a memorandum of understanding with the United States to increase its energy imports. This deal, involving Pertamina, aims to diversify the country's energy supply sources.
VAALCO Energy continues to operate the Baobab field by renovating its floating platform, despite modest production. This strategy aims to maintain stable profitability at low cost.
An empty reservoir exploded at a Lukoil-Perm oil facility in Russia, causing no injuries according to initial assessments pointing to a chemical reaction with oxygen as the cause of the accident.
The British Lindsey refinery has resumed fuel deliveries after reaching a temporary agreement to continue operations, while the future of this strategic site remains under insolvency proceedings.
BP and Shell intensify their commitments in Libya with new agreements aimed at revitalizing major oil field production, amid persistent instability but rising output in recent months.
The private OCP pipeline has resumed operations in Ecuador following an interruption caused by heavy rains, while the main SOTE pipeline remains shut down, continuing to impact oil exports from the South American country.
McDermott secures contract worth up to $50 million with BRAVA Energia to install subsea equipment on the Papa-Terra and Atlanta oil fields off the Brazilian coast.
Saudi Aramco increases its oil prices for Asia beyond initial expectations, reflecting strategic adjustments related to OPEC+ production and regional geopolitical uncertainties, with potential implications for Asian markets.
A bulk carrier operated by a Greek company sailing under a Liberian flag suffered a coordinated attack involving small arms and explosive drones, prompting an Israeli military response against Yemen's Houthis.
The Canadian government is now awaiting a concrete private-sector proposal to develop a new oil pipeline connecting Alberta to the Pacific coast, following recent legislation intended to expedite energy projects.
Petrobras is exploring various strategies for its Polo Bahia oil hub, including potentially selling it, as current profitability is challenged by oil prices around $65 per barrel.
Brazilian producer Azevedo & Travassos will issue new shares to buy Petro-Victory and its forty-nine concessions, consolidating its onshore presence while taking on net debt of about USD39.5mn.
Major oil producers accelerate their return to the market, raising their August quotas more sharply than initially expected, prompting questions about future market balances.
Lindsey refinery could halt operations within three weeks due to limited crude oil reserves, according to a recent analysis by energy consultancy Wood Mackenzie, highlighting an immediate slowdown in production.
The flow of crude between the Hamada field and the Zawiya refinery has resumed after emergency repairs, illustrating the mounting pressure on Libya’s ageing pipeline network that threatens the stability of domestic supply.
Libreville is intensifying the promotion of deep-water blocks, still seventy-two % unexplored, to offset the two hundred thousand barrels-per-day production drop recorded last year, according to GlobalData.
The African Export-Import Bank extends the Nigerian oil company’s facility, providing room to accelerate drilling and modernisation by 2029 as international lenders scale back hydrocarbon exposure.
Petronas begins a three-well exploratory drilling campaign offshore Suriname, deploying a Noble rig after securing an environmental permit and closely collaborating with state-owned company Staatsolie.