By Libya Herald reporters.
Tripoli, 14 December 2014:
As fighting continues on the approach to the first of Libya’s eastern oil export terminals, it . . .[restrict]was reported this evening that the National Oil Company has declared force majeure on lifting contracts from both Es Sider and its neighbouring terminal at Ras Lanuf. This gives NOC some legal protection over supply agreements that it cannot fulfil.
Es Sider is Libya’s largest export terminal while Ras Lanuf is the number three supply point. The two terminals, which are some 20 kilometres apart, have a combined installed capacity of 560,000 barrels a day.
For the second day running, fighting between Misratan-led Libya Dawn forces, which include Ansar Al-Sharia units, and the Libyan National Army have focused on Beni Jawad, some 25 kilometres west of Es Sider. That terminal was shut down yesterday and all save skeleton staff sent home. It is not clear if tankers waiting to load have moved away from the loading points at both terminals.
The NOC this evening appealed on its web site for all parties to respect the importance of the oil export facilities and avoid engagements that would damage them.
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