Libya’s Oil Shutdown Amid Political Struggle Sparks Economic and Political Crisis

Libya is currently experiencing a significant oil production shutdown, impacting its largest oil fields, including Sharara and Sarir. The shutdown was initiated by the authorities in eastern Libya in response to a dispute over the leadership of the country’s central bank. This has led to a drastic reduction in oil output, which is now at a fraction of its normal levels, and could potentially push the country towards economic collapse, according to the United Nations​ Al-Monitor  and Business Insider Africa  and Al-Monitor

Libya stands on the edge of a precipice once again, teetering between a fragile peace and the abyss of renewed conflict. In a country where the lifeblood of the economy is oil, the shutdown of more than half of its production has sent shockwaves through an already fractured landscape. Imagine this: over 700,000 barrels of oil per day have been cut off, locked away by the invisible hand of a political struggle that stretches far beyond the borders of this embattled nation. The ports—Es Sidra, Brega, Zueitina, Ras Lanuf—names that once spoke of prosperity, now echo with the sound of halted exports and empty promises.

Oil prices rise 🛢️ Oil prices have risen above $80 per barrel following stronger-than-expected economic data from the US and concerns about potential supply disruptions in Libya. Brent crude prices have increased by over $2 in two days, reaching $80.52.

Despite this uptick,… pic.twitter.com/i4CJ8GxEHD

— Share_Talk ™ (@Share_Talk) August 30, 2024

The National Oil Corporation (NOC), the gatekeeper of Libya’s most precious resource, reports a dramatic fall in output, from a robust 1.18 million barrels a day in July to a mere 591,024 barrels by the end of August. In just three days, the country has lost over 1.5 million barrels, a staggering $120 million worth of black gold vanished like a mirage in the desert heat. But these numbers tell only part of the story. Behind them lies a deeper tale of power, greed, and the relentless quest for control.

At the heart of this latest crisis is the battle for Libya’s soul—the fight for control over the Central Bank of Libya. This is not just an economic struggle but a geopolitical chess game, where the stakes are nothing less than the future of a nation. On one side, the internationally recognized government in Tripoli, backed by Turkey and supported by a chorus of Western voices. On the other, the eastern factions, with their own backers, including Russia, all vying for a slice of Libya’s vast oil wealth. The arresting of oil exports is their latest gambit, a high-stakes move in a game where the rules are written in blood and oil.

The engineers at these critical ports, now silent witnesses to this unfolding drama, recount how four ships managed to slip away earlier this week, each carrying 600,000 barrels of crude, a desperate bid to salvage what little remains of normalcy. But with production at fields like Waha Oil Company’s dropping from 280,000 to just 150,000 barrels a day, and even more losses on the horizon, it’s clear that Libya’s lifeline is fraying fast. The very fields that once gushed with promise—Sharara, Sarir, Abu Attifel, Amal, Nafoora—are now sites of stagnation and uncertainty.

Libya’s oil shutdown causes over $120M in losses
Production and exports halted after eastern government’s response to dispute over who controls central bank, with oil output falling dramatically#News #DailyNews #LiveNews #WorldNews#World pic.twitter.com/pHrfX2Yflw

— Breaking News (@FastNews77) August 30, 2024

For Libya, oil is both a blessing and a curse, a resource that has fueled dreams and ignited conflicts. The blockade strategy is an old one, a familiar tactic in this land of shifting alliances and endless grievances. These aren’t just business decisions; they are weapons wielded in a battle that has raged since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011, a battle that has turned neighbors into enemies and allies into rivals.

This is a country where every drop of oil is soaked in history, every barrel a testament to the dreams and nightmares of those who came before. The long shadows of the past loom large, as the specter of 2020 haunts the present. That year, Khalifa Haftar’s forces brought Libya’s oil industry to its knees, a move that paralyzed the economy for eight long months and ended only when his military ambitions faltered. Now, with calls to reinstate Sadiq al-Kabir as the central bank governor echoing through the corridors of power, the risk of another prolonged standoff feels not just possible but inevitable.

NOC: Oil production declined from 985,000 barrels on August 26 to 591,000 barrels on August 28, resulting in financial losses of more than $120 million. #Libya #ليبيا pic.twitter.com/uE3vGjgkya

— Alwasat Libya (@alwasatengnews) August 29, 2024

Yet, in this land of endless turmoil, there is a resilience, a stubborn will to survive. Libya has weathered storms before, from the desert heat to the political infernos that threaten to consume it. As the world watches, holding its breath, one can’t help but wonder: Will this be the moment that breaks the cycle, or just another chapter in an unending saga of power and resistance?

Libya’s fate hangs in the balance, a delicate dance of hope and despair played out against the backdrop of a nation that knows too well the price of both.

More

The United Nations has called for an immediate restart of oil production, emphasizing that continued disruptions could lead to severe economic consequences for Libya and destabilize the broader region​ Business Insider Africa

Major Points

• Libya’s oil production has been slashed by over half, with more than 700,000 barrels per day halted amid a political standoff over control of the Central Bank.
• The National Oil Corporation (NOC) reported a drastic drop in output, down to 591,024 barrels per day, causing a loss of over 1.5 million barrels and $120 million in just three days.
• The crisis is centered around the power struggle between the internationally recognized government in Tripoli and eastern factions, with geopolitical implications involving Turkey, Russia, and other global players.
• Key ports such as Es Sidra, Brega, Zueitina, and Ras Lanuf have ceased operations, significantly impacting Libya’s oil exports and overall economic stability.
• The ongoing battle over oil resources echoes Libya’s turbulent past, with the potential for a prolonged standoff reminiscent of the 2020 blockade that paralyzed the nation’s economy for eight months.

TL Holcomb – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News