Libya output makes comeback

Libya’s oil production has returned to levels above the 700,000-bopd mark, a National Oil Corporation (NOC) official said on Sunday.

The rebound was enabled by the restart of the Sharara and El Feel fields last week, with the assets pumping 216,400 and 26,500 bopd, respectively. Although back on line, the fields still operate below capacity. Sharara can produce 330,000 bopd, while maximum output at El Feel is pegged at 90,000 bopd.

Domestic strife has on several occasions over the past months resulted in the closure of Libya’s two principle oil ports and pipelines feeding the terminals, necessitating a halt of production at the aforementioned fields.

Operations at El Feel, operated by a tie-up between Eni and NOC, are particularly vulnerable, as the field relies on output from Sharara for its power supply. The latter is operated by a NOC, Repsol, Total, OMV and Statoil joint venture.