Libya’s Zallaf for Oil and Gas Company, a subsidiary of the state-owned National Oil Corporation (NOC), has announced the successful export of its first crude oil shipment from the newly developed Chadar oil field in the Sirte Basin, southeast of Ajdabiya. The milestone marks an important step in Libya’s ongoing efforts to boost oil production and revitalize its energy sector after years of political turmoil and infrastructure challenges.
In a statement released Wednesday on its verified Facebook page, Zallaf confirmed that the inaugural shipment—comprising more than 600,000 barrels of high-quality Sidra crude—had been completed, though the company did not reveal the shipment’s destination. Industry observers say the sale demonstrates renewed stability in Libya’s eastern oil operations, which have faced repeated disruptions over the past decade due to security and political disputes.
The Chadar field, also known by its code NC-126, began production in January 2025, initially producing 1,500 barrels of oil per day (bpd) and 7.5 million cubic feet of associated natural gas. Zallaf said it has already completed over five development wells as part of the project’s first phase, with additional expansion plans expected to significantly increase output in the coming months.
The company’s progress at Chadar follows its broader strategy to enhance Libya’s downstream capacity and reduce reliance on fuel imports. In March 2023, Zallaf signed an engineering and design contract with U.S.-based Honeywell for the planned South Refinery Project, estimated to cost between $500 million and $600 million. Once completed, the refinery is expected to process approximately 30,000 barrels of crude per day, producing a range of refined petroleum products to meet domestic demand and support export growth.
Libya, home to Africa’s largest proven oil reserves, has been working to stabilize its energy production amid persistent political divisions and infrastructure damage caused by years of conflict. The NOC has set a target of increasing national oil output to 2 million barrels per day within the next few years, a goal that depends heavily on the success of new developments like the Chadar field.
Energy analysts say Zallaf’s first export shipment is a positive signal for Libya’s oil recovery, potentially attracting fresh investment and strengthening the country’s role as a key supplier of crude to global markets.
Source:Africa Publicity
