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Balila Oil Field (Block 6)

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Industrial site

Weather…

The Balila Oil Field in Block 6 is a cornerstone of Sudan's onshore petroleum industry, situated in the Muglad Basin within West Kordofan State. Operated by PetroEnergy E&P, a joint venture involving the China National Petroleum Corporation, the field produces a distinct type of heavy, highly acidic crude oil known as 'Fula Blend.' Due to its high viscosity, the oil must be kept heated throughout its transport via a 500-kilometer pipeline to the Khartoum Refinery. Economically, Balila is essential for domestic energy security, providing the primary feedstock for the country's asphalt production and heavy fuel oil for power plants. Despite the logistical and security challenges inherent to the region, the field employs advanced thermal recovery techniques to maintain output, making it a vital asset for the Sudanese government's revenue and infrastructure development projects.

Location: Sudan
Nearby: Babanusa (89 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	26	29	31	33	33	30	28	26	27	28	27	26
Rain mm	0	0	1	5	56	91	163	167	133	57	0	0

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?

The Balila Oil Field in Block 6 is a key production area in West Kordofan, significantly contributing to Sudan's oil output. It is one of the pillars of the national energy supply.

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Visiting

The oil field is a heavily secured industrial complex, not open to the public. From surrounding roads, the drilling rigs and flares can be seen from a safe distance.

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Where to view it

A good viewpoint is a hill along the main road through West Kordofan. From there, the desert landscape and oil infrastructure stretch far into the distance.

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Local products

Crude oil is the primary product, transported from here via pipelines to refineries. However, local souks also offer traditional handicrafts from the nomadic population.

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Active season

Extraction runs around the clock, with seasonal maintenance windows. The field is particularly active during the dry winter months when transport and logistics are easier.

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Nearby

A visit can be combined with a trip to El Obeid, the largest city in the region. The historic town of Al-Ubayyid, with its markets and mosques, is also worth a detour.

Geography

Coordinates

11.20000, 28.60000

Facts

Extracts highly viscous oil
Connected to Khartoum by pipeline
Operated by PetroEnergy
Important for the El Obeid refinery
The Balila Oil Field in Block 6 is one of the most active oil-producing areas in Sudan and primarily produces heavy crude oil.
Located in the Northeast African state of Sudan.
The region is shaped by the Nile and the Nubian Desert.
Climate is mostly hot and dry, with desert and Sahel zones.