The Libyan National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced the resumption of oil production at El Feel oilfield on Sunday and confirmed the lifting of force majeure on crude oil exports from the Sharara and El Feel fields as of Sunday and Monday respectively.

NOC chairman, Mustafa Sanalla, commented saying: "NOC will start crude oil export operations as soon as possible. I also confirm that crude oil is now reaching Zawiya refinery, which will resume its operations to produce fuel for domestic use. This will reduce pressure on the budget allocated to import fuel”.

The first production phase at El Feel field will start at a capacity of 12000 barrels per day. Production at the field is expected to return to full capacity within 14 days due to the damages caused by the very long shutdown.

Meanwhile, the NOC announced the return of production at the Sharara oil field south of the country, which is the largest oilfield in Libya.

"The first production phase will start at a capacity of 30,000 barrels/day. Production at the field is expected to return to full capacity within 90 days due to the damages resulted by very long shutdown." NOC remarked.

The NOC said the illegal blockade for a period of 142 days cost the public treasury losses worth over 5.3 billion dollars.