Wintershall’s Libya actions under scrutiny

Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) has accused Wintershall of Germany and the UN-backed government in Tripoli of having over-reached in an attempt to exert control over the NOCs contract terms.

According to NOC head Mustafa Sanalla, Wintershall “tried to interfere with the Libyan internal politics and to take advantage of the fact that the state is so weak,” The Guardian reported on Wednesday.

Sanalla made his comments in reference to President Council resolution 270, unveiled in March. He alleged that the document was drafted “by Wintershall and designed to help Wintershall.”

According to the NOC chief, the resolution had helped Wintershall dodge its 2010 contractual obligations, which were designed to bring the German company’s original contract terms in line with the ones agreed upon with other IOCs. This would then have allowed the government to reap greater rewards from oil production in the country.

As a result, Sanalla argued, Libya missed out on some USD 900 million in potential revenue.

In a reaction, Wintershall contested the NOCs reading of the events.

“There is no [valid] claim over money allegedly owed by Winterhall. Wintershall has always met its obligations towards the Libyan state,” a statement read.

Following a ruling by a Bengazi appeal court on Monday, the legal status of the President Council’s resolution is now unclear.