Force majeure has been declared since Friday by the National Oil Corporation in Libya (NOC) at Al-Feel oilfield that is being operated by Mellitah Oil company after it had withdrawn all the workers after protests over pay delays by the Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG).

The NOC said in a statement that the reason behind this step is the threats posed by the PFG personnel to the workers and the vandalism they did to the offices and the panic they caused after opening gunfire in the air.

“The PFG personnel were attached to the Ministry of Defense, and it was up to the ministry to respond to their demands. We hold the safety of the workers as a priority over the oil production rates.” NOC Chairman Mustafa Sanallah said.

He added that the NOC supplies the PFG members in the oilfield with fuel and supplies, pointing out that it cannot supply hundreds of those who claim to be members of the PFG in areas far and away from the scope of the oil sector operations.

“All the authorities tasked with supervising the work of the PFG must act and end the individual action taken at Al-Feel. The NOC is in contact with all the social leaders of Tubu tribe to find a solution for the return of calm to the field and to resume operations as soon as possible,” the statement reads.

Al-Feel oilfield produces over 70.000 bpd out of its 100.000 bpd capacity. Its production has been recently hindered by PFG members’ protests.