Libya’s defence ministry seeks help from tribal chiefs over oil stand-off – The National

Libya’s defence ministry seeks help from tribal chiefs over oil stand-off – The National

A powerful Libyan militia affiliated with the unity government's defence ministry is asking tribal chiefs in the south-west for help in ending a siege of one of the country’s biggest oil fields.

The closure of Al Sharara field by armed men on Monday has led to a sharp drop in production and the suspension of crude exports from two key ports.

The field, located about 900 kilometres south-west of the capital Tripoli, produces 315,000 barrels per day – about a third of the country's daily production in 2021. It is managed by the state-owned National Oil Corporation in co-operation with a consortium of French, Spanish and Norwegian companies.