After six months of blockades on exports by Khalifa Haftar’s militias, Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) said on Friday that it lifted force majeure on all oil exports from Libya.
The NOC said the first vessel to load crude oil from Libya is the Kriti Bastion from Es Sider oil port, noting that the oil production increase in the country “will take a long time due to the significant damage to reservoirs and infrastructure caused by the illegal blockade imposed on January 17.”
NOC placed the oil terminals at Hariga, Brega, Zueitina, Es Sider, and Ras Lanuf under force majeure at the beginning of this year, after pro-Haftar tribal militias shut exports and production down to allow the warlord to have a political bargaining chip against the Government of National Accord.
“We are very glad finally to be able to take this important step to national recovery, and I wish to thank all the parties to recent discussions for helping to bring about this successful outcome,” NOC’s chairman Mustafa Sanalla said in a statement.
“Our infrastructure has suffered lasting damage, and our focus now must be on maintenance and securing a budget for the work to be done. We also must take steps to ensure Libya’s oil production is never again held to ransom,” Sanalla added.
