Libya Gas Exports to Italy Down As Output Goes to Local Market - NOC

TRIPOLI, Libya's gas exports to Italy have fallen due to some production from the North African country's Mellitah plant being redirected for domestic consumption, an official from the state-run energy company NOC said on Thursday.

The move follows disruption caused by the shutdown of Es Sider port and nearby fields because of recent fighting in the area.

Mellitah is co-owned by Italy's Eni and Libya's state oil firm National Oil Corp (NOC).

According to data from the gas grid operator Snam's web site, on Thursday 13.1 million cubic metres (mcm) of gas was imported from Libya to Gela in Sicily where the pipeline lands. That compared with 12.7 mcm delivered for Wednesday, 18 mcm delivered on Tuesday and 20.9 mcm delivered on Monday.

Fighting between rival factions in Libya has often disrupted oil and gas exports in the three years since the civil war toppled Muammar Gaddafi. Two competing governments now operate in the North African state.

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