Libyan oil exports not yet affected by port strike: official
Cairo (Platts)--19Dec2012/612 am EST/1112 GMT
A port strike at Libya's Ras Lanuf oil terminal is not currently
affecting exports of Libyan crude and petroleum products, which are
continuing from the terminal as scheduled, an official of state-owned Arabian
Gulf Oil Company, Agoco, told Platts.
Agoco's media and information director, Abdeljalil Mayuf, however, noted
the potential for unabated political unrest, which has recently sparked
industrial action at Ras Lanuf and other Libyan oil terminals, to disrupt
petroleum exports in future.
"Exports aren't being affected by the strikes, but anything is possible
at this time that might affect exports of petroleum products," he said late
Tuesday.
Mayuf attributed the unrest to local discontent with job opportunities
created since Libya's 2011 revolution at the country's oil refineries and
export terminals, and the oil fields supplying them.
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"Libyans are calling for federalism since the current structure of
central government isn't returning any benefits to Libyans despite the
ongoing increase in exports of crude oil and oil products," he said in an
interview late Tuesday.
"The security situation is also weak and the current government isn't in
control," he added.
Mayuf suggested that oil operators with international partners were
becoming particular targets for the ire of Libyans who had fought on the side
of rebel forces to oust the late Libyan dictator Muammar Qadhafi. In
connection with Ras Lanuf, he mentioned Harouge Oil Operations, a joint
venture between Agoco's parent, National Oil Corporation, and Canadian
independent Suncor Energy.
Harouge pumps more than 100,000 b/d of crude to Ras Lanuf from oil
fields in central Libya's Sirte Basin.
Mayuf described Libya's current government as weak and ineffectual at
working for the people's best interests.
"Ministers are just travelling overseas and spending most of their time
away from Libya without paying attention to people's demands," he said.
Libya produced 1.48 million b/d of crude in November, according to the
latest Platts survey of OPEC output. Before the revolution it produced as
much as 1.7 million b/d.
--Sherif Elhelwa, newsdesk@platts.com
--Tamsin Carlisle, tamsin_carlisle@platts.com
--Edited by Geetha Narayanasamy, geetha_narayanasamy@platts.com