On Wednesday, Libya’s Oil Minister, Mohamed Aoun stated that Libya is cooperating with Russia in various fields, including in the energy sector.
In an interview with the Russian news agency Sputnik, Aoun said that the Russian-Libyan Joint Committee is likely to hold a meeting in April to discuss the mutual cooperation.
“Russia is one of the largest oil and gas producing countries in the world, and has great areas of cooperation with the State of Libya,” he said.
“During the previous period, submersible pumps were imported from Russia, and some Libyan oil companies have successfully used these pumps. There are major economic areas in which we cooperate, such as building a railway in Libya, the importing of grain, among other things,” Aoun explained.
Aoun said that the Russian company Tanteft has three oil fields in the country. The company has reportedly discovered oil, and is in the process of developing and completing drilling operations in its fields.
“Regarding Russia’s Gazprom, it has an onshore field and an offshore field. Unfortunately, there is a technical problem in the offshore field because the United States of America has imposed a ban on drilling equipment deeper than 100 meters. Therefore, Gazprom Neft is facing difficulties in completing the exploration, drilling, and development process of these fields,” he added.
He explained that Libya aims to raise production to about 1.4 million or 1.5 million barrels per day in 2022/2023. “This is the plan and we hope that we can fulfil it.”
He also stressed that Libya does not have the ability now to export natural gas to Europe via the ‘Green Stream’ line. As well as noting that the current production rates are allocated for the consumption of power stations.
“I do not think in the near future, that we will have the ability to increase any quantities of gas for export. I do not think that it will be in the effective quantities that can resolve the shortage crisis in the European Union.”