After days of armed fighting, Libyan key oil ports resume exportation

“Both ports are ready to restart exports,” Alaokali said.

Waha Oil, a joint venture between the NOC, Hess Corp., Marathon Oil Corp. and ConocoPhillips, suspended production earlier this month after clashes between armed factions in the politically divided nation forced Es Sider and Ras Lanuf to suspend shipments. Waha Oil is “soon” expected to reach 75,000 to 80,000 barrels a day, the level it was at about two weeks ago before fighting broke out near the ports on March 3, according to Alaokali. It began pumping on Saturday, Bloomberg added.

Forces loyal to Libya’s eastern-based military commander Khalifa Haftar regained control over the two ports on March 14. The fighting, including airstrikes, dealt a blow to international efforts to restore stability in the country.

A rival group, called the Benghazi Defence Brigades (BDB) had seized Es Sider and Ras Lanuf earlier this month, then handed them over to the Presidential Council’s Petroleum Facilities Guard.

Bloomberg reported that Libya’s eastern oil region is safe now, and companies in the area can resume normal operations related to production and exports, citing Mustafa El-Zegheid, coordinator of the NOC’s Oil Crescent emergency committee.

At least 45 workers and engineers have returned to their jobs at Ras Lanuf and 35 others at Es Sider, El-Zegheid said. Employees at Es Sider have inspected storage tanks and valves, and the facilities are ready to receive crude from the Waha field, which will slowly increase Waha Oil’s production, he said according to Bloomberg.