On Wednesday, the National Oil Corporation (NOC) expressed grave concerns over the continued forced closure of oil facilities. It reflected this in the equipment, surface facilities, transport pipes, and crude tanks, that resulted in the collapse of one of the tanks in Sharara field. This is in addition to the “almost daily leaks of transport pipes, and their negative effects on the surrounding environment”.
In a statement, the NOC announced that it will continue to fulfill its responsibilities, as specialized teams conduct technical consultations, public safety requirements, operations safety, and implement precautionary measures, in anticipation of any emergency. It noted that the specialists predict that millions of stored barrels are vulnerable to explosions and mass destruction due to the militarization of the oil ports.
“In order to keep the Libyan citizen informed, experts from the Corporation, and its partners concluded the need to empty all crude oil stocks, and provide storage capacities for condensates associated with the gas produced. This is so that gas production does not stop after a few days, which is used to generate electricity throughout the country”, the statement said.
The Corporation called on all those responsible for the closures to neutralize the oil sector from any bargaining, and to immediately end the closures, and restart production. This would guarantee citizens the continuation of salaries and services, as well as to maintain the country’s foreign exchange reserves.
“More intransigence, and insistence on dealing with these vital capabilities of the country as a way to blackmail the institution, and prevent it from doing its work for the benefit of all Libyans, could make these oil facilities hotbeds of tension, and war. This will only bring destruction to these vital installations, which means eliminating the only source of income of the Libyan people.” It added.
It also indicated that the Head of the Corporation, Mustafa Sanalla, has confirmed that all incidents are properly documented, and reports have been submitted to local, and international parties.
“At this stage, we appealling to allow the NOC to restart its activities immediately and empty all the tanks, and lines of crude oil, to preserve the Libyan people’s oil assets from destruction. This is also to prevent the surrounding areas from environmental, and health disasters that may befall them upon any armed confrontations”, It said.