24/04/2025
Date: April 24th, 2025
To:
His Excellency Gen. Salva Kiir Mayardit
President,
Republic of South Sudan, Juba
Subject: Expression of Gratitude Appreciation for the Opportunity to Serve at Ministry of Petroleum.
Your Excellency,
With deep humility and sincere appreciation, I write to express my heartfelt gratitude for the opportunity and trust you granted me to serve as the Director General of the Petroleum Authority under your visionary leadership.
It has been a great privilege to contribute to our nation’s journey toward energy independence and economic recovery during this important chapter of the petroleum sector. With your unwavering support and strategic direction, we were able to record several key milestones, including:
The successful resumption of crude oil production in Blocks 3 & 7, which has been instrumental in restoring national oil output and revenue flow;
Improvement of production facilities ensuring safer and more reliable operations across all blocks;
Enhanced flow assurance and operational stability, leading to minimized production interruptions and system bottlenecks;
Increment in production levels and sustainability initiatives, aligning with national development goals and long-term sector resilience in Blocks 3 & 7, Blocks 1, 2 & 4, and Block 5A.
These accomplishments reflect the collective efforts of the dedicated teams within the Ministry, the Authority, and our partners, all under your unwavering support and commitment to national progress. While, we celebrate these achievements, we also faced complex challenges that tested our resolve, including:
The strategic and regulatory management of decommissioning process;
Petronas’ divestment from the Joint Operating Companies, which required delicate coordination to safeguard continuity and national interest;
Engagement with foreign partners to foster sustainable investment partnerships, especially amidst a dynamic geopolitical and financial environment;
The licensing of new exploration blocks, which involved balancing technical, legal, and strategic considerations to attract responsible investors while upholding national priorities.
The expiration of Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement (EPSA) for Blocks 3 & 7 in 2027, which has demanded extensive coordination with partners to plan for transitional arrangements, resource stewardship, and long-term sector stability.
As I transition from this role, I take this moment to warmly congratulate the incoming Director General, Eng. Joseph Ezbon. As a long-serving insider and capable technical professional in the Ministry, I am confident that he has knowledge and dedication vision required to elevate the Petroleum Authority to greater heights. I have no doubt that he will deliver beyond expectations and further your legacy of progress and reform.
As I conclude my service at the Ministry of Petroleum, I reaffirm my loyalty and continued readiness to serve our nation in any capacity deemed fit. I remain confident that the Petroleum Authority will continue to build on the solid foundation laid and achieve even greater milestones under new leadership.
Thank you once again, Your Excellency, for your trust, support, and the opportunity to serve our nation during this critical time.
May the Almighty continue to bless you with wisdom and strength as you lead our country toward lasting peace and prosperity.
Yours respectfully,
Eng. Lual Chol Dak
Former Director General of Petroleum Authority
Ministry of Petroleum
Republic of South Sudan
