Production Hit at Two More Oil Fields in Libya as Valves Closed

Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced on the 22nd (local time) that the valves of pipelines transporting crude oil from the Hamada and Tahara oil fields in northwestern Libya to the port of Zawiya have been closed, leading to a drop in production at both fields.

According to Reuters, the NOC explained in a statement that unidentified individuals entered a crude oil collection facility near the Zawiya refinery and closed the pipeline valves.

The NOC urged the intervention of relevant authorities, stating that "if the closure continues, it will have a negative impact on crude oil production performance."

Libya's current crude oil production level is approximately 1.4 million barrels per day.

When the Tahara oil field was restarted in 2022, it produced 2,500 barrels per day, and announced plans at the time to increase production up to 40,000 barrels per day.

The Hamada oil field was projected in 2021 to be capable of producing 50,000 barrels of crude oil per day under stable operating conditions.

Oil revenues account for approximately 90% of the Libyan government's budget, serving as a core financial resource, Reuters reported.

However, following the ouster of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, oil production has been halted multiple times due to unstable political conditions and technical reasons.

On September 15, members of the Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) closed pipeline valves to demand that their organization, which is under the Ministry of Defense, be transferred financially and administratively under the NOC, causing production halts at the Hamada and Tahara oil fields.

On September 21, an armed group closed the valve of a pipeline connecting the Sharara oil field to the port of Zawiya, causing a sharp decline in production at the field.

(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.