2005

Potentially lucrative oil rights reassigned to Total SA, Marathon Oil Corp. and Kuwait Petroleum Corp. are invalid, with a share of Total's awarded to London-listed White Nile Ltd. instead

Oil has been the most important factor in the 'push for peace' in the north-south deal, according to an African diplomat.

Awad al-Jaz said that the central government hasn't signed an exploration deal with London-listed White Nile Ltd.

Nobody knew what deal White Nile had secured in Sudan, but the rising share price was interpreted as proof that it must be lucrative.

China and Russia have blocked U.S. efforts to impose sanctions on Sudan for the past six months

A new 100 000 barrel-a-day refinery would be built in Port Sudan, on the Red Sea, and the capacity would be increased at two existing refineries, one in Port Sudan and one in the capital, Khartoum

The conflict in Sudan and the still-rickety Chad legal system have analysts worried that the pipeline will not be the blessing that the population of Chad needs

White Nile will detail an agreement to acquire a 60% stake in an exploration block in what is reckoned to be the oil-rich Muglad Basin in southern Sudan

Sudanese oil minister indicated blocks 15, 12 and 13 would be put on the auction block this year. They are the last concessions still up for grabs in the country.

Sudanese Central Bank will open a branch in southern Sudan area and work in this regard is expected during the current month