The announcement was made by South Sudanese Oil Minister Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth during a visit to Equatorial Guinea.

Joining the Organization of African Petroleum Producers (Appo) would help Africa's youngest state better understand international oil trade and share experiences with other oil-producing countries on the continent.

South Sudan wants to become a member of Appo, at a time when prospects arise for the revival of crude production in this East African country undermined by years of conflict. South Sudan's Oil Minister Ezekiel Lol Gatkuoth said 70 percent of the country's oil reserves currently remain untapped.

"South Sudan wants to learn how the oil industry works in Africa. We will work to ensure that South Sudan is a member of Appo at its next meeting," he said, from Malabo, Equatorial Guinea, where he took part in the organization's seventh Expo-Conference.

Founded in 1987 to promote cooperation in the oil sector, Appo has eighteen member countries: Algeria, Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Congo, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Gabon, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, South Africa, Libya, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan and Thad.