The US Special Envoy to Libya, Ambassador Richard Norland, met with the Chairman of the National Oil Corporation (NOC), Farhat Bengdara, to discuss the ongoing production halt at the Sharara oil field.
Norland said, “Oil production in Libya is its economic lifeline, and any production stoppage harms all Libyans.”
The US envoy emphasized the importance of maintaining the independence and technocratic integrity of the NOC.
Previously, the NOC announced a partial reduction in production at the Sharara oil field due to force majeure conditions resulting from sit-ins by the “Fazzan Movement.”
The Libyan Government of National Unity (GUN) has condemned the closure of the Sharara oil field, located in the southwest of the country. In a statement, the government described the attempt to shut down the oil field as a new form of political extortion.
The government expressed strong disapproval of any actions aimed at disrupting a crucial economic artery like the Sharara oil field, which accounts for approximately 40% of the country’s oil production. It highlighted that Libya holds an 88% share in the field’s production, while the foreign operator holds a 12% share.
The closure of the Sharara oil field exacerbates the suffering of the Libyan people, who have borne the brunt of repeated oil shutdowns that have caused severe damage to the national economy and negatively impacted the lives of citizens. The Unity Government emphasised that oil wealth belongs to all Libyans and should not be used as a tool for political or personal gain.
The government affirmed its commitment to taking all necessary measures to protect the interests of the Libyan people and defend their rights to benefit from the nation’s resources.
Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations.
Libya’s economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya’s economy.
