South Sudan’s Oil Is Flowing, but Who Really Gets Paid?

Jul 16, 2026 | Warille B. Warille
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A recent partial settlement between the Government of South Sudan and commodities trader BB Energy has eased restrictions imposed by the London High Court, which had barred South Sudan from entering new oil-backed loan agreements until a US$140 million debt to BB Energy was repaid. The injunction had significantly constrained the government’s ability to secure fresh financing using future crude oil production as collateral, increasing pressure on an economy already heavily dependent on oil revenues. The settlement therefore marks an important turning point in South Sudan’s oil-backed financing dispute, temporarily easing legal constraints that threatened crude exports while exposing the government’s continued reliance on future oil production to meet its financial obligations.