Libyan Oil Fields Reopened after Months of Closure

Libya`s state-owned National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced Sunday that oil fields near the southeastern city of Jikharra have been reopened after nearly three months of closure.

`After pressure from the National Oil Corporation and the Office of Public Prosecutor. the municipality of Jikharra has decided to reopen nearby oil fields that were closed down earlier in November 2017.` the corporation said in a statement.

`The unauthorized shutdown by operator Wintershall of the Sara fields in its NC-96 concession resulted in the loss of over 4 million barrels of production.

The suspension of production by the company was done without the approval of the NOC as stipulated in the interim operating agreement between the parties.` the statement added.

The Municipal Council of Jikharra city announced on November 1 closing nearby oilfields in protest for not meeting the demands of its residents by the National Oil Corporation.

`Resuming production is a humiliating setback for the parallel Corporation (in eastern Libya) and its campaign to close Libyan production in and around Al-Wahat region.` said the corporation`s chairman Mustafa Sanalla.

`The public prosecutor will continue to investigate this crime. The perpetrators and others considering using the tactic should remember this is a very serious offence for which there is no statute of limitations.` Sanalla added.

Libya is politically divided between eastern and western authorities. including two oil corporations.

Foreign oil companies only recognize the Tripoli-based National Oil Corporation of the UN-backed government of national accord.

 

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