Libya opens gas field with output capacity of 50 million cubic feet per day

By Mohammed Ertima and Rania Abushamala

TRIPOLI, Libya / ISTANBUL (AA) - Libya opened the Al-Rashad gas field south of the eastern city of Brega on Sunday, with a production capacity of up to 50 million cubic feet per day, in a move aimed at boosting gas supplies to power plants and industrial sectors.

The National Oil Corporation (NOC) said in a statement that its chairman, Masoud Suleiman, announced the opening during a ceremony marking the 65th anniversary of Libya’s first crude oil shipment.

Suleiman said the field’s production capacity reaches 50 million cubic feet of gas per day.

“Bringing this field into production is an important addition to the oil and gas sector, strengthens gas supplies and meets the needs of power plants and industrial sectors,” he added.

Libya exported its first crude oil shipment through the Brega oil terminal on Oct. 25, 1961, marking the beginning of its crude oil exports to international markets.

Libya produces about 2.4 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day, while estimates of its proven reserves range from 53 trillion to 80 trillion cubic feet, according to the NOC.

Libya exports natural gas to Europe through pipelines and relies on it domestically to generate electricity and meet the needs of industrial sectors.

Rania R.a. Abushamala