Plizio Visual Lab

Thar Jath Oil Field

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Industrial site

Weather…

The Thar Jath Oil Field is located in Unity State, South Sudan, and forms part of Block 5A in the Muglad Basin. Initially developed in the late 1990s, the field has been at the center of intense geopolitical and environmental debates. Production at Thar Jath contributes to the 'Nile Blend' crude, which is generally of higher quality than the oil from the eastern basins and is similarly exported via trans-border pipelines. Geographically, the field is situated in an ecologically sensitive zone near the Sudd wetlands, increasing the technological demands for drilling and environmental mitigation. Over the past two decades, numerous reports have documented the contamination of local drinking water by chemical residues from oil extraction, leading to severe health issues among the resident populations. During the civil war, production was suspended several times, highlighting the inherent volatility of the South Sudanese economy. The facilities include a central processing unit and a network of feeder lines that prepare the crude for long-distance transit.

Location: South Sudan
Nearby: Rubkona (46 km)

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Jan, Nov, Dec.

	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg °C	29	31	33	33	31	28	27	26	27	28	29	29
Rain mm	0	0	3	25	101	127	146	185	154	96	5	2

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?

The Thar Jath Oil Field is one of the most significant oil extraction centers in South Sudan, substantially contributing to the country's export revenues. It is located in Unity State and is strategic for energy supply.

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Visiting

The oil field is a secured industrial site and not accessible to the public. From surrounding roads, however, the drilling rigs and flares can be seen in the distance.

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Where to view it

The best view of Thar Jath Oil Field is from the main road crossing the region, roughly halfway between Bentiu and Leer. From there, the silhouette of the facilities can be seen on the horizon.

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Local products

The region mainly produces crude oil, which is exported. Local markets, however, do not sell direct oil products but rather agricultural goods from the surrounding area.

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Active season

Oil extraction runs continuously throughout the year, with maintenance typically carried out during the dry season from November to April. Exports are mainly shipped when logistics routes are passable.

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Nearby

Nearby is Bentiu, the capital of Unity State, with markets and the banks of the Bahr el Ghazal river. The Bentiu Wildlife Reserve also provides an interesting combination.

Geography

Coordinates

8.93000, 30.13000

Facts

Thar Jath is the primary field within Block 5A of the Muglad Basin.
Historical operators include Lundin Petroleum (Sweden) and Petronas (Malaysia).
Scientific tests have identified dangerous levels of salinity in water due to drilling by-products.
The field yields 'Nile Blend' crude, a low-sulfur variety preferred by many refineries.
Production was completely shut down in 2013 following the outbreak of civil conflict.
The Koch County area surrounding the field has reported high rates of birth defects linked to pollution.