Shutting down oilfields is not a solution to the problems of Libya’s southern region, head of the High Council of State (HCS) Khaled al-Mishri told the Fezzan Anger Movement Wednesday.
During a meeting with some representatives of the movement, Mishri said he understands their demands and the problems they suffer from in the southern region due to lack of security, but shutting down oilfields will not resolve the issue.
He added that he is ready to coordinate with the Government of the National Accord (GNA) to implement projects in the southern region, provide residents with basic services and tackle their grievances. The HCS advises both the GNA and the House of Representatives.
Meanwhile, Spain denounced the closure of el-Sharara oilfield, demanding the armed groups seizing the field to open it and hand the field over to the National Oil Corporation (NOC).
It said every citizen has the right to the oil, and NOC is the GNA’s legal authority that should operate Libya’s oilfields.
Madrid reiterated its commitment to supporting Libya to achieve stability, unity, sovereignty and integrity of its territories as well as the efforts exerted by the U.N. Mission Support in Libya (UNSMIL) to reach a political solution in Libya.
NOC declared on Monday a force majeure on exports from el-Sharara oilfield after armed groups seized it.
In a Monday statement, NOC demanded these groups to “immediately leave the field without preconditions.” It said it was also “reviewing” evacuation plans to protect the oilfield’s workers from any threats after some armed groups and tribesmen claiming to be attached to the Libyan Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) seized the place.
The Libyan tribesmen and the armed groups call themselves the Fezzan Anger Movement.
Further, NOC expressed concern about the failure of PFG to shoulder its responsibility for protecting Libya’s oilfields and workers, referring that they have covered, instead, many crimes committed by armed groups.
Meanwhile, the Fezzan Anger Movement shut el-Feel oilfield in southwestern Libya as well and threatened to escalate the situation due to the inaction of the NOC toward their demands.
NOC said in a statement the shutdown of its biggest oilfield would result in a production loss of 315,000 barrels per day (bpd) at the site, and an additional loss of 73,000 bpd at the Feel oilfield.
Sharara also provides 120,000 bpd for Zawiya oil refinery in the west of the country, which is the largest operating refinery alongside being one of Libya’s main export grades.
Hence, the company said production at the Zawiya refinery was also at risk due to its dependence on crude oil supply from Sharara.
