Plizio Visual Lab

Adar Yale Oil Field

Plizio editorial teamUpdated: Jun 2026Data Sources

Industrial site

Weather…

The Adar Yale oil field is located in the Melut Basin in Upper Nile State and is one of the most productive crude oil sources in South Sudan. Geographically, it lies in a swampy area east of the Nile, which has posed significant infrastructure challenges since its discovery in the 1980s. The field is primarily operated by the Dar Petroleum Operating Company, a consortium with significant participation from Chinese and Malaysian state-owned enterprises. The oil extracted here, known as Dar Blend, is noted for its high acidity and requires specialized refining processes. The economic importance of the field is immense for the South Sudanese national budget, as oil exports generate over 90% of government revenue. Despite economic benefits, the region has been affected by decades of conflict and environmental issues, exacerbated by oil extraction and the associated pipeline infrastructure to Port Sudan. Modernization efforts aim to increase production efficiency while minimizing ecological impacts in this sensitive wetland area.

Location: South Sudan
Nearby: Kodok (70 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	28	30	32	33	31	29	27	27	27	28	28	28
Rain mm	0	0	5	24	84	100	146	155	125	105	11	2

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?

Adar Yale Oil Field is one of the most productive oil fields in the Melut Basin of South Sudan. It plays a central role in crude oil extraction and export to the world market, making it a key economic asset for the country.

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Visiting

The oil field is not open to the public due to security reasons and is heavily guarded. Visitors can only see the facility from a great distance, for example from the surrounding hills or the main road through the Melut Basin.

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Where to view it

The hills east of the oil field offer a distant view of the drilling rigs and infrastructure. Another option is the road between Melut and Paloich, from where parts of the facility are visible on clear days.

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Local products

The crude oil extracted is exported and not available for local purchase. In the Melut region, travelers can find handicraft souvenirs and local agricultural products such as sorghum and millet.

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Active season

Oil extraction occurs continuously throughout the year, as it is a permanent industrial activity. However, activity can be affected by the regional security situation or maintenance works.

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Nearby

A visit to the oil field should be combined with a trip to Melut or Paloich to experience the local culture and the White Nile river landscape. The region also has birdwatching opportunities along the Nile.

Geography

Coordinates

10.05000, 32.73000

Facts

Reserves at the Adar Yale field are estimated at several hundred million barrels.
The field was first discovered in 1981 by the American company Chevron.
Production is channeled through the Palogue terminal in the Melut Basin.
The oil is transported via a 1,600 km pipeline to Port Sudan on the Red Sea.
Adar Yale is part of Blocks 3 and 7, the country's largest producing region.
Dar Petroleum Operating Company invested billions in developing the infrastructure.