Sudan says oil output to hit 600,000 bpd in 2007

KHARTOUM (AFP) - Sudan's oil production is expected to reach 600,000 barrels per day (bpd) this year, President Omar al-Beshir told parliament on Monday.

Speaking at the inauguration of a new parliament session, Beshir said the output would increase thanks to new oil fields coming on stream.

Sudan's current output is estimated at around 500,000 bpd but averaged only 365,000 bpd in 2006, well below levels predicted by the government.

Asian heavyweights China, India and Malaysia are the main investors in Sudan's oil industry, which is still under US sanctions and recovering from two decades of north-south civil war.

Sudan has attended Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries meetings as an observer for years, and is considering full membership of the cartel.