Libya’s state-owned National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced that oil export operations have resumed without disruptions following protests at the Es Sider and Ras Lanuf ports on Tuesday.
“Operations are proceeding without interruption across all fields and ports, following discussions with protesters who demonstrated at the Es Sider and Ras Lanuf ports this morning,” NOC stated on its Facebook page.
The protests, which briefly blocked loadings, were organized by demonstrators demanding the relocation of oil company headquarters to the Oil Crescent region and equitable development to improve living conditions in the area.
The Oil Crescent region, which includes Es Sider, Brega, Zueitina, and Ras Lanuf, accounts for nearly half of Libya’s oil exports. Despite the region’s economic significance, protesters claim the local population receives little benefit.
“All we want is equality,” said protester Houssam El Khodor. “The oil is produced in our regions, and all we get are the toxic fumes.”
According to a loading schedule, Es Sider is expected to export 340,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude in January, with another 110,000 bpd set for shipment from Ras Lanuf.
NOC reported on its social media that Libya’s crude oil production currently stands at over 1.4 million bpd, slightly below the pre-civil war peak of 1.6 million bpd.
Brent crude prices, which initially rose due to concerns over the protests, steadied at a two-week low of $77.17 per barrel later in the day.
Libya has a history of oil production disruptions, including a significant shutdown in August last year over a central bank dispute, which reduced output by 700,000 bpd and lasted more than a month before production resumed in October.