Libya’s NOC lifts force majeure on oil in ‘secure’ ports

Libya’s state energy company said on Saturday that it had lifted a force majeure on oil fields and ports that it sees safe and free from armed groups, Turkish state-run Anadolu news agency reported.

But National Oil Corporation (NOC) said the measure would remain in place for facilities where fighters remain.

“Force majeure continues in oil fields and ports where the presence of fighters from Wagner and other armed groups that obstruct the activities and operations of NOC is confirmed,” Anadolu cited NOC as saying in a statement on its Facebook page.

Rebel General Khalifa Haftar announced on Friday he would temporarily lift his blockade of oil output and said he had agreed with the rival Tripoli government on “fair distribution” of energy revenue.

Since the beginning of the year, forces of Haftar’s self-styled Libyan National Army (LNA) have blocked oil production and exports in the country’s most important fields and terminals to demand, claiming a fair division of oil revenues.

But the Turkish-backed, United Nations-recognised Government of National Accord (GNA) has made significant battlefield gains against the LNA in recent months.

The GNA-controlled NOC’s lift force majeure has cost Libya over $6.4 billion.