Speaking on the opening day of the Libya Energy and Economic Summit 2024 (Tripoli, 13 to 14 January), the Chairman of the National Oil Corporation (NOC), Farhat Bengdara said that since its establishment, the NOC has maintained strategic relations with its international partners to achieve stability in global energy security.
It has developed ambitious plans and strategies through which it aims to return Libya to the forefront of the energy sector by increasing production. Its goal is to strengthen strategic partnerships to ensure the interests of the Libyan people.
The oil and gas industry faces many difficulties that require cooperation between state institutions and the national and foreign private sector.
The NOC’s goal is to raise production to 2 million barrels per day, which is linked to developing our partnerships with foreign companies.
On its environmental efforts, he said the NOC has cleaned approximately 14 thousand tons of oil waste.
Our message to our people is that we will not neglect your direction and that we are governed by the interests of the Libyan state.
NC7 Hamada field contract and Sharara field force majeure
Bengdara did not mention by name the NC7 Hamada field contract with a foreign consortium being stopped and under investigation by the Attorney General’s Office, but his mention of the need for cooperation with international partners is seen as a reference to that.
The NOC chairman did not mention the local demonstrators forcing the Sharara field to stop production and the NOC being forced to declare a force majeure at the field.
Finally, on a personal basis, there is a court case against the NOC chairman challenging his legitimacy as chairman for allegedly holding an Emirati passport. Bengdara has refuted this allegation in Libyan media.
Attorney General holds press conference to present an overview of cases in 2023 (libyaherald.com)
NOC declares force majeure on Sharara oilfield due to closure by local protesters (libyaherald.com)
