NOC declares force majeure at EL-Feel oilfield due to forced political closures

The National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced today the declaration of force majeure on the El-Feel oilfield due to the forced closer of production.

The field was closed by protesters demanding:

1. The exit of the Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba government
2. The handing over of power to the Fathi Bashagha government
3. The resignation of NOC chairman Mustafa Sanalla

Explaining its decision, the NOC said ‘‘on Saturday, April 16, 2022, at 18:30 , the El-Feel field was subjected to arbitrary closure attempts, due to the entry of a group of individuals and the prevention of the field’s workers from continuing production, which was totally shut down on Sunday, April 17, 2022, making it impossible for the NOC to implement its contractual obligations.

Accordingly, the National Oil Corporation (NOC) is obliged to declare a state of force majeure on Mellitah crude until further notice.

The NOC regrets the situation and demands that the language of reason and wisdom prevail and to keep the oil sector away from conflicts, in order to preserve the remaining dilapidated infrastructure, due to the consequences of arbitrary closures and the scarcity of budgets over the previous years.’’