How much longer can Libya's NOC defy political gravity?
Output has soared and the state firm is targeting another 30% increase by year-end. Politics remains the big obstacle
National Oil Corporation (NOC) deserves the plaudits. Libya's oil production, hovering around 1m barrels a day in July and August, is about four times greater than a year ago. Mustafa Sanallah, the company's chairman, wants yet more, hoping to lift output to 1.3m b/d by end-2017. Civil war, political chaos and the ever-present risk of disruptions remain headwinds. As if to remind everyone of the delicate balance achieved by NOC in recent months, on 6 August gunmen stormed the control room at Zawiya, a port in northwest Libya that is the terminus for a pipeline from Sharara, Libya's largest producing oilfield. The disruption, the result of rivalry between militias at the port, looked like it
Also in this section
28 April 2026
The key energy player faces balancing regional routes, political complexities, and creating a clear strategic vision for energy security
24 April 2026
The European Commission’s response to the Middle East crisis is to double down on its transition strategy, with plans for a new target on electrification
24 April 2026
A major new discovery by Eni and BP that can likely be fast-tracked to production is welcome news for Egypt as it scrambles to plug a widening supply gap and deal with rising import risks
24 April 2026
Countries in the region are turning to the cleaner-burning fuel for power generation, driving demand for imports
