PM Aldabaiba meets new Acting Oil Minister Abdel Sadig

After the suspension of Oil and Gas Minister Mohamed Aoun by the Administrative Control Authority (ACA) on 25 March, Tripoli based Libyan Prime Minister Abd Alhamid Aldabaiba held a meeting yesterday with the newly appointed Acting Minister of Oil and Gas Minister, Khalifa Abdel Sadig.

This is the first public meeting with Abdel Sadig and is confirmation of Aoun’s suspension.

The government media page said the meeting was to follow up on several files related to the oil and gas sector.

Investment projects and activating international partnerships
It reported that Abdel Sadig presented an update on the development and investment projects approved in the sector plan with the aim of increasing production and activating international partnerships.

Need to partner with Libyan private sector
Aldabaiba, the government reported, directed the necessity of partnering with the Libyan private sector in intermediary works, and entering the oil sector according to their capabilities and qualification by the competent committees, and that foreign companies should not monopolize the work.

Manufacture of oil spare parts and equipment
Aldabaiba, it added, also directed the necessity of inviting companies that manufacture various oil spare parts and equipment to partner with the Libyan private sector through the Misrata Free Zone in providing the appropriate conditions for this.

It is notable, however, that the official Facebook page of the Ministry of Oil and Gas has not yet reported the meeting and has not acknowledged Abdel Sadeg as the Acting Minister.

Analysis
It must be noted that critics and commentators have viewed the suspension of Oil Minister Mohamed Aoun as a political manoeuvre rather than a legal/administrative one. They suspect that Aldabaiba has had him suspended for having obstructed him in the NC7 Hamada deal with foreign investors.

Presidency Council head Menfi strikes down NC7 Hamada oilfield deal with foreign consortium as burden on the state (libyaherald.com)

Oil Minister Aoun suspended by ACA – continues work claiming he has received no such notification (libyaherald.com)

Aldabaiba forms technical committee to examine controversial NC7 Hamada oil deal – must report by 30 January (libyaherald.com)

Controversial NC7 Hamada field development must go ahead: Aldabaiba (libyaherald.com)

Goal to raise production to 2 million barrels per day is linked to developing partnerships with foreign companies: NOC chairman Bendgara (libyaherald.com)

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)

Legal case against NOC chairman Bengdara moving forward – court to issue urgent ruling on 22 January (libyaherald.com)

30 to 40 percent of Libya’s area is still unexplored for hydrocarbons: Oil Minister Aoun (libyaherald.com)

Libya Energy Summit is great support to enhance stability and investment environment: Aldabaiba (libyaherald.com)