Libya: Resumption of oil exports hit by delays

An upsurge of violence in Tripoli, an uncertain and rapidly evolving political situation and a massive underestimation of market conditions by National Oil Corporation (NOC) combined during July to scupper Libya’s attempts to re-enter the international oil market. But while a resolution of Libya’s internal problems still looks unlikely, an increase in regular oil exports from the Sirte Basin during August or September is possible. The resumption of operations at other fields lies further off and, in many cases, personnel have not yet been sent back into the desert.