Libyan oil production curtailed by protests at Sharara field

Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced on Tuesday that it is gradually reducing production from the Sharara field, one of the country’s largest oil fields, due to “force majeure.”

Production at the field is currently at 200,000 barrels per day, with a capacity of 300,000 barrels per day.

Sharara, located in southwestern Libya, is operated by a joint venture of NOC with Repsol, France’s TotalEnergies, Austria’s OMV, and Norway’s Equinor, and has been a common target of local protests.

The field was closed due to protests in January, adding to the numerous disruptions in Libya’s oil production since the country split in 2014.

This division led to separate administrations in the east and west after the NATO-backed uprising that overthrew Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Attribution: Reuters