Demonstrators in Libya Pose Threat to Shut Down Oil and Gas Facilities
Protesters in Libya, particularly a group known as the Corruption Eradication Movement, have issued a 72-hour ultimatum, threatening to shut down two oil and gas facilities near the capital city, Tripoli. The ultimatum is set to expire on Friday.
In a video statement online, the Corruption Eradication Movement specifically mentioned its intention to “stop the pumping of gas from the Mellitah complex.” The Mellitah complex is a joint venture between Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) and Italy’s Eni. The protesters are campaigning against corruption, and their threat raises concerns about potential disruptions to oil and gas operations in the region.
A potential shutdown of the Mellitah complex, as threatened by the protesters, could disrupt the supply of gas through the Greenstream pipeline, which connects Libya to Italy.
As of now, Eni has declined to comment on the situation, and the National Oil Corporation (NOC) was not immediately available for comment regarding the threat issued by the protesters.
The key demand of the protesters is the removal of NOC Chairman Farhat Bengdara, citing what they perceive as “violations amounting to the level of crime.” The situation underscores the challenges and potential disruptions faced by the oil and gas sector in Libya amid social and political unrest.
The protesters have presented additional demands, including preventing NOC Chairman Farhat Bengdara from entering into any oil and gas agreements. They also called for job opportunities for young people in areas near oil facilities and measures to prevent environmental pollution.
The group’s spokesperson, Salem Mohamed, conveyed that if their demands are not addressed by the authorities, the movement may escalate into civil disobedience. The ongoing protests and demands illustrate the challenges facing Libya’s oil sector, a crucial source of income for the country, since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.
It remains uncertain whether the protesters can shut down the facilities. The group has indicated its intention to close NOC’s Zawiya refinery, the country’s largest functioning refinery with a capacity of processing 120,000 barrels per day.
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The refinery is linked to the 300,000 bpd Sharara field, which was recently closed by protesters from the Fezzan region in the south of Libya, leading to the NOC declaring force majeure on Sharara production.
The closure of Sharara has impacted crude oil supplies to the Zawiya terminal. NOC reported that Farhat Bengdara met with leaders from the Fezzan region to discuss the repercussions of the force majeure. The situation reflects broader challenges as various groups seek a greater share of state revenue and political changes in Libya
