Libya’s Zallaf Oil and Gas Company has successfully completed its first export from the Chadar oil field, delivering over 600,000 barrels of high-quality Sidra crude in a milestone shipment that underscores the country’s ongoing efforts to revitalize its oil industry.
In a statement posted on its verified social media page, Zallaf confirmed the shipment but did not disclose the destination of the premium crude. The achievement marks a significant step in Libya’s push to reinforce Africa’s role in the global energy market.
The Chadar oil field, located in the prolific Sirte Basin, was discovered in 1968 by Mobil but remained undeveloped for decades due to political instability and underinvestment. The National Oil Corporation established Zallaf Oil and Gas in 2017 specifically to develop long-dormant fields and unlock their potential.
Production at Chadar began in January 2025, initially yielding 1,500 barrels of crude per day and 7.5 million cubic feet of associated gas from five wells. Since then, output has steadily increased, culminating in the recent shipment of 600,000 barrels. In March 2023, Zallaf had signed a contract with U.S.-based Honeywell for engineering work on the planned South Refinery project, initially estimated to cost $500 to $600 million, designed to process 30,000 barrels of crude per day.
Building on this progress, the National Oil Corporation recently confirmed that the newly drilled H1-NC4 well is estimated to produce approximately 4,675 barrels of crude per day and around 2 million cubic feet of natural gas. An oil source within the Arabian Gulf Oil Company told Reuters that the company’s total oil production had reached 310,000 barrels per day by the end of October, highlighting a steady recovery in Libya’s overall output.
These developments coincide with the return of major international oil firms to Libya. Energy multinationals including BP, Shell, Eni, TotalEnergies, ExxonMobil, and Chevron have resumed operations or expressed interest in new projects, following the National Oil Corporation’s launch of its first oil and gas tender in 18 years. Austria’s OMV also restarted operations in late 2024, signaling growing investor confidence after years of conflict-driven disruptions.
Source: africa.businessinsider.com