A source at the Al-Hariga oil port in Tobruk confirmed that the oil tanker, Marlin Santorini has docked at the port’s quay. The source stated to Libya24 News that the tanker is set to load one million barrels of crude oil to China.
They also noted that this is the seventh and final tanker to arrive in November. He pointed out that the tanker bears the flag of the Marshall Islands, and arrived from Greece. He further explained that production from the Messla and Sarir fields reached 210,000 barrels, through a pipeline with a length of 513 kilometers and a diameter of 34 inches.
The source reported that the Al-Hariga port has achieved a record this year by exporting seven million barrels in November.
Notably, Mohamed Aoun, Libya’s Minister of Oil and Gas has publicly acknowledged a crisis in the distribution of gas in Libya, despite there being no shortage of the resource itself. This statement was made during his recent television appearance.
Aoun explained that one of the main issues in Libya is the smuggling of fuel, which occurs in all regions, including the southern, eastern, and western parts of the country. He clarified that “the responsibility of his ministry ends once the fuel trucks leave the Brega depots, and do not have control over their subsequent destinations.” Regarding the lifting of subsidies on fuel, Aoun mentioned that there “has been no official decision yet, but only ideas being discussed without any formal agreement.”
Adding to this, the minister highlighted the many oil and gas discoveries in Libya, noting that they were managed away from political conflicts. However, he criticized the National Oil Corporation (NOC) for “not encouraging companies to engage more actively in these discoveries.” Aoun strongly opposed using the Libyan people’s need for oil as leverage for certain demands, describing such actions as unacceptable blackmail.
Furthermore, Aoun called for Libyan elites to “come forward and clarify various economic agreements and matters.” He expressed concern over the ambiguity surrounding many of these agreements, which he believes opens the door to suspicion and doubt.
This address by Aoun sheds light on the complex challenges faced in the Libyan oil and gas sector, highlighting issues of distribution, smuggling, and the politicization of natural resources.