He said testing of pumping stations should be completed within seven days. "We hope to have oil at the marine terminal by June 30. We may start pumping at 120,000 barrels per day (bpd) and reach 150,000 bpd in a few weeks," Eltom said, adding that he expected this to rise to 200,000 bpd later. The pipeline has a capacity of 250,000 bpd, which could be increased to 450,000 bpd with additional pumping stations.

Eltom said the first export shipment could take place from Port Sudan in late July or early August. Initial sales would be spot or short-term contracts until the best buyers and markets had been identified, and customers had achance to test Sudanese crude.