Eni starts up Libyan offshore gasfield

Libya

MILAN, July 6, 2018 – Eni and Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) have started up the Bahr Essalam Phase 2 gas project offshore Libya, the super-major announced on Thursday.

The two companies operate the field through Mellitah Oil & Gas, their 50-50 joint venture.

“Phase 2 of the project completes the development of the largest offshore producing gasfield in Libya,” the press release said, adding that production potential would be boosted by 11.3 mcm (400 mcf) of gas per day. Bahr Essalam’s production will be 31.2 mcm (1.1 bcf) per day once it comes on line, slated for September or October.

The start-up came just as violence and chaos have resulted in domestic production losses of up to 850,000 bopd. Earlier this week, the NOC declared a force majeure on exports from the Al Hariga and Zweitina seaports after military forces in the area switched the installations to the authority of a rival and internationally unrecognised NOC based in eastern Libya.