Farhat Bengdara, newly appointed NOC chairman
Gunpoint exit for Libya’s Sanalla
A figure from the Gaddafi era has replaced the NOC’s top man. Initial consequences have been positive for output, but uncertainty and risks remain
Libya’s oil industry has been rocked by fresh turbulence after armed groups stormed the headquarters of state-owned National Oil Corporation (NOC) to enforce the sacking of its chairman Mustafa Sanalla. Sanalla, in post since 2014, was fired by one of Libya’s two rival administrations, the Government of National Unity (GNU). Libya’s parliament, which is based in the east of the country and controls a rival government, has denounced his replacement as unconstitutional. Tensions between Sanalla and the GNU have been simmering for months. The GNU is internationally recognised but was installed last year as a temporary government to oversee elections in December. When those elections were cancel
Also in this section
17 June 2025
Israel’s attack on Iran caught oil firms with low inventories due to their efforts to protect themselves from falling prices, creating a perfect storm
17 June 2025
Sound development planning is essential in this diverse and rapidly evolving region
16 June 2025
The launch of the much-needed yet oft-delayed Africa Energy Bank remains shrouded in questions and funding constraints, but its potential is clear
16 June 2025
BP and partners have reached a $2.9b FID on a new phase at Shah Deniz, but slow progress on other gas projects is attributed to a lack of European support
