Oil revenues, which only began with the first oil shipments in 1999, now account for 41 percent of government income. In the first nine months of 2002, the government received $527 million in oil revenue. The oil fields, which could hold as much as three billion barrels, are now pumping 250,000 barrels a day. This is to increase to 450,000 barrels by 2005. A major reason the government is making peace is because the rebels are threatening the oil fields, and all the riches the oil can provide.