The National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced that the Zueitina Oil Company has successfully restarted the first production well at the Sabah field, which had been inactive for ten years due to vandalism in 2015.
NOC stated that the well’s reopening followed its security by the Petroleum Facilities Guard, paving the way for resuming production operations at the field.
The well’s production capacity is approximately 600 barrels of oil per day, with the oil being transported by mobile tanks to the Zallah field, located about 90 kilometers from the Sabah oil field. The first shipment of oil, the first since the field was halted in 2015, is scheduled to be transported this Sunday.
The Corporation noted that Zueitina Oil Company has devised an urgent plan to resume production in the field in two phases. The first phase involves reactivating two production wells with a capacity of 1200 barrels per day.
The second phase includes installing an early production facility at the field, which will enable the operation of 17 additional wells with a production capacity of up to 4000 barrels per day by the last quarter of 2025, bringing the total field production to 5000 barrels per day.
This development is part of the National Oil Corporation’s efforts to enhance national production and maximise the utilisation of the country’s oil 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.
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.
