Libya resumes oil production at Mabruk Field after a ten-year halt

Libya’s Mabruk Oil Operations has officially resumed production at the Mabruk oilfield after a decade-long closure, according to a statement issued by the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity (GNU) on Wednesday March 12. The field, which had been shut down since 2015 due to security issues, has now begun producing at an initial rate of 5,000 barrels per day, with plans to ramp up output to 7,000 bpd by the end of March, and 25,000 bpd by July, Reuters reported.

The crude extracted from the Mabruk field began being transferred to the nearby Al-Bahi field on Tuesday, as part of broader efforts to enhance the country’s oil infrastructure. The National Oil Corporation (NOC) had previously indicated intentions to restart operations at Mabruk in the first quarter of 2023, with a target production rate of 25,000 bpd. The field had been closed following a terrorist attack in 2015, which resulted in losses amounting to $575 million in field equipment.

Libya, home to Africa’s largest proven oil reserves, has faced persistent challenges in maintaining steady production due to internal conflicts and damaged infrastructure since 2011. However, the resumption of activity at Mabruk represents a significant milestone for the country’s oil sector, signaling improved stability and a renewed effort to rebuild and boost the national economy, the GNU’s statement concluded.