The Libyan National Oil Corporation (NOC) has announced the halt of oil exports in its major ports of Ras Lanuf, Brega, Zueitina, Al-Sidra and Al-Zawiya as well as Mellitah, citing “bad weather conditions on the coastline.
Responding to the bad weather claim, the head of media office of the National Center for Meteorology told reporters that the weather in Libya was “fine and spring-like”, thus denying the excuse of the NOC’s exportation shutdown at a time when global market is devouring oil at the fraction of second leading to a hike in prices that left a barrel of oil at $120.
The Oil and Gas Ministry, which is at strife with the NOC, said the shutdown of oil exports by the NOC is damaging to the national security and the wellbeing of Libyans, adding that the decision was taken unilaterally by the NOC without coordination with the Ministry, which reiterated that weather conditions were stable and there were no reports on any unexpected change of weather by the National Center for Meteorology and its Thursday morning’s forecast.
“Wind speed didn't exceed 20 knots and waves didn't go higher than 2.50 meters. This doesn't require a halt of exports knowing that oil prices are in constant increase and today they are at $120.” The Oil and Gas Ministry added.
