Libya’s eastern government may declare a force majeure on oil fields and ports due to repeated assaults on the National Oil Corporation. This government is not internationally recognized but controls significant oil infrastructure. The NOC denied claims of a violent incident at its Tripoli headquarters, asserting continued operations. Libya’s oil production recently reached 1.3 million barrels per day after earlier disruptions reduced output by over half.
On Wednesday, Libya’s eastern government, based in Benghazi, declared it might announce a force majeure on oil fields and ports. This potential move comes after “repeated assaults” on the National Oil Corporation (NOC), raising concerns over the stability of oil operations in the nation. Although not internationally recognized, the eastern authority largely controls key oil infrastructure, thanks in part to military leader Khalifa Haftar’s influence.
In addition to a force majeure declaration, the eastern government indicated a plan to relocate the NOC’s headquarters from Tripoli, the seat of the internationally recognized Government of National Unity (GNU). Proposed relocation sites include safer cities such as Ras Lanuf and Brega, which are under the control of the eastern administration. This situation underscores the geographic and political divide within Libya.
Earlier in the week, the NOC refuted claims regarding a storming of its Tripoli headquarters, calling such reports “completely false”. They asserted that operations continue as usual, emphasizing their commitment to fulfilling crucial duties without interruption. The acting head of NOC, Hussain Safar, stated that any incident was merely a “limited personal dispute” and was resolved quickly by security personnel, without affecting workflow or employee safety.
The GNU’s media office released a video showing calm conditions at the NOC headquarters, countering allegations of unrest. Libya’s oil output has often been jeopardized, particularly since 2014 when the country was split between rival administrative factions following the NATO-supported overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
In August, the country’s output plummeted, with oil production dropping by over half, translating into a loss of approximately 700,000 barrels per day. This turmoil stemmed from political tensions over the central bank. After more than a month of shutdowns, production began to resume gradually, and as of the last 24 hours, Libya’s crude output reached a reported 1.3 million barrels per day, according to the NOC.
In summary, the eastern Libyan government is contemplating declaring a force majeure due to attacks on the National Oil Corporation, which is essential to the country’s oil production. Plans for relocating the NOC’s headquarters are also under consideration as tensions rise. Although production faced significant interruptions in the previous months, the NOC claims that they are operating normally. The stability of Libya’s oil output remains uncertain amid the escalating political divides.
Original Source: www.newarab.com
