Tripoli, Libya
US tries to ease Libyan tension
The Biden regime is back in the global policeman role as it tries to keep oil flows up
The US has waded into Libya’s latest wave of oil shutdowns—which have almost halved oil production—by proposing an ambitious new financing system to try to separate hydrocarbon revenues from politics. Washington’s move comes as protesters, backed by the Libyan National Army (LNA) of Khalifa Haftar, have forced several ports and fields to close. It is the most serious shutdown since a nine-month oil blockade by the LNA in 2020. Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) has declared force majeure on two shut-in fields, Sharara and El-Feel, and two oil terminals, Brega and Zueitina. In addition, NOC has closed some fields serving Zueitina. NOC says the shutdowns have cut production by 550,000bl/d
Also in this section
2 April 2026
Alongside a rapid continued build-out of renewables, China’s latest five-year plan stresses the value of domestic hydrocarbon production for energy security and calls for increased Russian gas imports
2 April 2026
The government is taking important steps to revive domestic production, lift investment and benefit from the geopolitical crisis even if more needs to be done in the longer term
1 April 2026
Golden Pass’s startup offers QatarEnergy a timely boost but may also force a difficult choice between honouring disrupted contracts and capitalising on soaring spot LNG prices
1 April 2026
It is not a case of if or when, but the length and magnitude of economic damage from elevated oil prices
