Despite the mammoth challenges facing Libya’s beleaguered oil and gas sector from dilapidated infrastructure to pressing security challenges, National Oil Corporation (NOC) head Mustafa Sanalla remains determined to push forward with plans to up output to 1.6mn b/d by end-2019 – a level last reached before the 2011 revolution (see chart 1) – and ultimately 2.1mn b/d by 2021.
But the outlook remains bleak. The central bank and internationally-recognized government based in Tripoli have yet to agree a 2019 budget, whilst the key 315,000 b/d-capacity El Sharara field remains shut-in after repeated security breaches (MEES, 15 February). (CONTINUED - 1561 WORDS)
