The National Oil Corporation of Libya denied on Saturday the presence of foreign forces protecting various Libyan oil fields and facilities. In a statement on its Facebook page, the Corporation emphasized that “national security and military institutions have not failed to secure these facilities, which are an important part of the Libyan people’s assets.”
The Corporation condemned what it described as false claims and news, urging both domestic and international media outlets to adhere to accuracy, credibility, and journalistic professionalism. It also called for verification of information before publication to avoid misleading the public and stirring unrest.
On Thursday, the Oil Corporation announced the lifting of force majeure at all Libyan crude oil fields and ports, following a crisis involving the head of the Central Bank which led to the closure of oil facilities and significant financial losses.
Libya’s oil production has recently resumed in full after a near two-month halt due to a political crisis, which involved disputes over the governance of the central bank responsible for distributing oil revenues. The resumption includes the Sharara and El-Feel oil fields and exports from Es Sider, the country’s largest port.
Despite this positive development, the situation surrounding Libya’s oil fields has been complex, involving multiple shutdowns and restarts largely due to political instability and conflicts. The eastern government of Libya, which controls the majority of the country’s oil production, has intermittently imposed blockades on oil fields and exports, contributing to significant production declines and financial losses. These disruptions are tied to broader political strategies and power struggles within the country.
Moreover, Libya is looking to restore and expand its oil and gas production capacity. With Africa’s largest oil reserves, Libya aims to attract more foreign investment to revitalize its energy sector. Recent initiatives include significant offshore gas development projects and efforts to boost oil production and reduce gas flaring. These developments signal a potentially more stable and promising future for Libya’s oil industry.
