Libyan Prime Minister, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh
Chaos the new normal for Libya’s oil sector
Hopes for a recovery by the North African oil producer remain in tatters
International confidence in Libya’s oil sector has plummeted following a month-long blockade by one of the country’s two rival governments. The eastern government in Benghazi ordered the blockade of ports and fields in late August to protest against the firing of the chairman of the Central Bank of Libya (CBL), Sadiq al-Kabir, by the western government in Tripoli. This blockade was a civilised affair, completed not by militias storming oil installations but by phone calls from the army of Khalifa Haftar, a powerful warlord allied to the eastern government. Within days, oil production fell from 1.2m b/d to approximately 0.5m b/d. It lasted until 1 October, when UN mediators secured agreement
Also in this section
20 January 2026
As the global energy system undergoes its most profound transformation in a century, the need for credible leadership, practical solutions and inclusive dialogue has never been greater. In 2026, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia will stand at the centre of this conversation as host of the 25th WPC Energy Congress in Riyadh.
20 January 2026
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is the host of the 25th WPC Energy Congress on 26-30 April 2026. The Ministry of Energy spoke with Petroleum Economist about the key messages and opportunities for the global energy community.
19 January 2026
Newfound optimism is emerging that a dormant exploration frontier could become a strategic energy play and—whisper it quietly—Europe’s next offshore opportunity
16 January 2026
The country’s global energy importance and domestic political fate are interlocked, highlighting its outsized oil and gas powers, and the heightened fallout risk
