Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced on Monday that the country’s average daily natural gas consumption has reached 1.001 billion cubic feet.
According to figures shared on the NOC’s official Facebook page, the General Electricity Company of Libya (GECOL) was the largest consumer, with a total usage of 6.01 billion cubic feet over the past week.
The NOC itself consumed 746.2 million cubic feet during the same period, while Ubari Power Plant was supplied with 74,527 barrels of crude oil to support its operations.
In the industrial sector, the Libyan Iron and Steel Company (LISCO) and other small factories used a combined total of 617.5 million cubic feet of gas, whereas cement factories recorded a weekly consumption of 250 million cubic feet.
These figures underline the significant reliance of Libya’s energy and industrial sectors on natural gas as a primary energy source, amid ongoing efforts to stabilize and modernize the country’s energy infrastructure.
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.
The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions.
The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition.
Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges.