Southern Sudan, which has a semi-autonomous government now, will vote in 2011 on whither to remain united with the rest of the country or to establish its own independent state In accordance with a peace deal signed in 2005,. If southerners vote for the independence Nilepet would be southern Sudan national company. Currently, Sudapet, the state hydrocarbon company run from the central capital in Khartoum, undertakes the training of Nilepet staff.