Libya resumes crude oil exports after day of protests
Libya has resumed loading oil from two main eastern ports after they were halted for a day on January 28th by protests.
According to RigZone, crude oil accounts for one third of all Libya’s exports.
Shipments restarted from Es Sider and Ras Lanuf said Massoud Seliman, interim chairman of the National Oil Corp.
An NOC statement confirmed this came after they held discussions with the protesters.
“The NOC assures all Libyans, as well as its local and international partners, that production and export operations are advancing in accordance with the strategic plan, with no exceptions at any oil ports,” they stated.
The pause in shipments began after they were ordered by the “Oil Crescent Region Movement”, according to Middle East Monitor the group asked for the relocation of several oil companies to the Oil Crescent region, calling for fair development of their coastal area, and an improvement to their living conditions.
The protesters saw oil production as unfair, as although it highly produced in their region they do not benefit from it at all, often having to breathe the toxic fumes emitted.
Libya is one of Africa’s largest crude reserves, and is a worldwide supplier of oil. This also comes as Crude oil markets experience a difficult start to the year due to US President Donald Trump’s threats of universal tariffs.
RigZone, Middle East Monitor
