White Nile Petroleum and Petronas are joining forces. The two companies have formed a a joint operating company, along with Sudapet, WNPOC or White Nile (5B) Petroleum Operating Company Ltd. WNPOC was formed to explore block 5B where the companies will start an exploration and drilling program early next year.

The program includes the acquisition of 1,100 line kilometers of 2D seismic data in the first half of 2006, building of necessary infrastructures to support drilling operations and drilling of up to three exploration wells commencing late 2006. 

WNPOC will also embark on a Community Development Program in the concession area, focusing on providing clean water, education, basic health care, and humanitarian aid to the local population.

The consortium members met with and briefed the Minister of Energy & Mining, Awad Ahmed El Jazz, on the proposed program, which has received full support from the ministry.

Rights to the concession of Block 5B were awarded under an Exploration & Production Sharing Agreement signed in May, to a consortium composed of Petronas Carigali White Nile (5B) Ltd 39%, Lundin Block 5B BV 24.5%, ONGC Videsh Ltd 23.5%, and Sudapet Ltd 13%. WNPOC operates the block on behalf of the consortium members.

WNPOC is also the operator for Block 5A and Block 8, onshore the Republic of Sudan.

Block 5B is located in the Muglad Basin and covers an area of 20,119 square kilometers. Muglad is the main oil-producing basin in the country and has seen the development of several large oil fields over the past few years. So far the consortium has been active in reprocessing and reinterpreting existing seismic data.

Following the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, WNPOC has conducted scouting trips into the Block in preparation for the 2006 seismic and drilling operations.

The consortium members are committed to exploring and exploiting oil resources in Block 5B, which is expected to be an important part of the oil industry in the Republic of Sudan, in an efficient and responsible manner. This will contribute towards the economic development of the Republic of Sudan whose development depends largely on the rapid and efficient exploitation of its oil resources.