Minister of Oil and Gas, Mohammed Aoun, has voiced concern after specific parties called for halting oil operations in the country.
Speaking to the London-based Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper, Aoun said the Libyans would be the first to suffer if oil production comes to a halt as it would impact power stations and drive oil companies away.
Libya is now producing nearly 1.2 million barrels of oil and 2.7 billion cubic feet of gas a day. 300 million cubic feet of gas production are for export, Aoun noted, warning of "the negative repercussions of closing any ports or fields."
"When the pumping of crude oil stops, gas production will also be disrupted, and this will affect the country's power stations, meaning that the people will be targeted and affected by this decision before the segment of importers, who may find other alternatives."
The minister said the frequent threats would drive oil customers away, who fear unstable supplies or the force majeure state.
"They will seek alternatives, despite the ongoing global energy crisis resulting from the conflict in Ukraine," Aoun explains.
The east-based rival government headed by Osama Hammad has warned to shut down oil and gas operations and declare force majeure, citing its "unlawfulness" for lacking due process of law.
