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Author: rida

UNDP organises solar power study programme for key energy bodies

Written by rida on . Posted in News, Renewable Energy.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) reports that it organised a 10-day training and study tour in Cairo on 7-16 October for 40 key Libyan officials from the Ministry of Planning (MoP), General Electricity Company of Libya (GECOL), Renewable Energy Authority of Libya (REAoL), Libyan Center for Solar Energy Research and Studies, and Al-Enmaa Electric Investment.

The programme focused on the planning, designing, and installation of photovoltaic solar panel systems and grid-connected rooftop systems.Organised by UNDP, in collaboration with Egypt’s New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA), the study tour is part of UNDP efforts to support Libya’s transition from reliance on hydrocarbons to clean, renewable energy sources. According to the UNDP, essential technical knowledge on solar PV systems, including site assessment, system design, installation, and maintenance were conveyed to the participants.

The training, included a visit to the 50-MW solar power plant in Zafarana, Gulf of Suez.The UNDP believed it will prepares Libya for large-scale deployment of renewable energy solutions, contributing to economic growth and significant reductions in carbon emissions.Commenting on the visit, UNDP Resident Representative in Libya Sophie Kemkhadze said: “While oil remains the backbone of Libya’s economy, it is crucial to begin a gradual shift towards renewable energy sources such as solar and wind. With its abundant sunshine, Libya has significant potential for solar energy projects that can meet domestic energy needs and open new avenues for export and job creation. Libya’s energy transition is a crucial component of the strategy for sustainable development.”

The study programme was funded by the European Union. According to the UNDP, it “underscores Libya’s commitment to expanding its renewable energy portfolio and fostering environmental sustainability.

It is a critical step toward addressing the country’s energy challenges by integrating global best practices into the national grid, enhancing economic resilience, and ensuring long-term sustainability.”

NOC denies reports of foreign forces protecting oil facilities

Written by rida on . Posted in News, Oil and Gas.

The National Oil Corporation (NOC) has categorically denied claims made by some media outlets that foreign armed forces have been deployed to protect a number of oil fields and facilities.

In a statement posted this evening, the NOC insisted that all oil field and facilities are guarded purely by Libyan nationals from the military or security organisations.

In its statement, the NOC denounced the allegations as false and called on all media outlets, national and international, to first fact-check reports before publishing them and to avoid misleading the public and stirring up problems.

Source: NOC

NOC announces lifting of force majeure

Written by rida on . Posted in Oil and Gas.

By : Paul Grant

The National Oil Corporation (NOC) today announced that it was lifting force majeure on oil production at all Libyan oilfields and on oil deliveries from oil all terminals with immediate effect. The end of force majeure also covers the Sharara and El Feel fields in southwest Libya.

In its statement today, the NOC noted that force majeure has been declared in relation to Sharara on 7 August, El Feel on 2 September and shipments through the Sidra terminal on 12 September.

It said that said after reviewing the situation in Sharara, El Feel and at the Sidra terminal it could now resume its oil operations at the two fields and exports to its customers. Consequently, force majeure was now ended for all oilfields and terminals.

On Wednesday, production and operations managers of all Libyan oil sector companies had, on the instructions of the NOC chairman, attended a meeting to prepare for the return of oil and gas production.

Source : NOC

Bengdara discusses cooperation with new CBL governor

Written by rida on . Posted in Oil and Gas.

By Moutaz Ali

The chairman of the National Oil Coporation (NOC), Farhat Bengdara, was today at the Central Bank of Libya to meet the newly appointed governor, Naji Issa, congratulate him on his appointment and talk about cooperation.

The two discused the mechanisms to fund NOC oil projects so as to increase the production and thus ensure Libya’s financial security and compensate for the loss of revenues resulting from the oil field closures as well as the decline in international oil prices.

Source: CBL

Acting UN special envoy confirms importance of NOC independence

Written by rida on . Posted in News.

The chairman of the NOC, Farhat Bengdara, had a meeting at the NOC headquarters in Tripoli today with the acting UN special envoy and head of UNSMIL in Libya, Stephanie Koury. At it, according to a tweet by her on X (formerly Twitter) she stressed the need to maintain the independence of the corporation. She also stressed the importance of ensuring that Libya’s resources are managed transparently for the benefit of all Libyans and for that of future generations.

The talks also covered the return of oil production, which UNSMIL had already welcomed, as well as sustainable production, as well as support both locally and internationally so as to meet operational and funding issues.

For his part, Bengdara said that there would be transparency and a fair distribution of oil revenues.

Azzawya Company completes annual refinery overhaul

Written by rida on . Posted in News, Oil and Gas.

By Moutaz Ali

As part of plans to ensure increased productivity, Azzawya Oil Refining Company has completed its annual maintenance overhaul of the refinery. The objective was to increase productivity while at the same time maintaining operations.

The maintenance programme was completed as scheduled in cooperation with the company’s various departments. It included the maintenance of the second refining units, including distillation units Nos. 110,120,121, 122 and 130, and the liquefied gas unit No. 170.

All furnaces, , isolation and control valves, heat exchangers, air coolers, compressors, electric motors, pumps, control and measurement units were inspected and necessary works carried out.

All targeted pipeline networks were also replaced, and maintenance work was carried out on the 121V8 reactor nozzle.

AGOCO and Libya Technology are looking for ways to boost cooperation

Written by rida on . Posted in News, Oil and Gas.

Mohamed Ben Shatwan, chairman of the management committee of AGOCO welcomed a delegation from Taknia Libya Engineering Company on 30 September 2024. It included Nader Bushnav, member of the board of directors of Taknia Libya, Haitham Al-Din Al-Hadiri, director of financial management, and Abdul Ati Al-Rafadi, director of internal auditing and Nader Shaheen, director of the human resources department.

The meeting focused on joint projects, engineering consulting and increasing cooperation and communication between the two companies. Bushnaf considered cooperation with the Gulf Company a strategic step, as it is one of the largest companies in the oil sector.

Source: AGOCO

Ben Shatwan meets a delegation from Arena Company

Written by rida on . Posted in News, Oil and Gas.

Mohamed Bin Shatwan, chairman of the Management Committee of the Arabian Gulf Oil Company, received on Sunday morning, 29 September, Fathi Al-Saudi, director of the Libyan-Spanish Arena Company and his accompanying technical team. Also present for AGOCO were Ibrahim Al-Ghamari, a member of the Management Committee, and Nabil Akhlif, head of the Engineering and Construction Department.

The meeting discussed the implementation of the project to supply and install two crude oil tanks in Complex 9 in the Masala field (Project S50), after the letter of credit was opened for it. Project strategy, vitality and its essential role in continuing and increasing production in line with the National Oil Corporation’s plans to increase production were stressed.

It is worth noting that, on the same day, Ibrahim Al-Ghamari chaired the project launch meeting in the Abdul Rahim Al-Naas Memorial Hall between AGOCO’s engineering and construction department, which is supervising implementation of the project, and the technical team from Arena.

Zallaf Management Committee honours the Zallaf Medical Convoy Team

Written by rida on . Posted in News, Oil and Gas.

This morning, Thursday, a ceremony was held to honour the medical staff who took part in the Zallaf Medical Convoy campaign. It was in the presence of the Chairman of the Management Committee and the Committee Member for Finance, Human Resources and Services, and the Sustainable Development Coordinator.

The convoy had headed to the Greater Ghat Municipalities at the end of last August, following the floods and torrents that swept the area. The company had taken the initiative to organise a convoy to provide medical and treatment services to those affected by the floods in the municipalities of Al-Barakat and Tahala.

At the beginning of the ceremony, Dr Amani Al-Dali, the team leader, gave a comprehensive explanation of the convoy’s work and statistics related to the campaign in which 1,353 cases were examined, including births as well as emergency and first aid cases in various medical specialties.

For their part, the Chairman of the Management Committee and the Committee Member expressed their thanks and appreciation to all who contributed to the success of the convoy, which had experienced a very positive response thanks to its organisation and results.

Source: Zallaf Oil

AGOCO replaces old pipeline in Nafoura field

Written by rida on . Posted in News, Oil and Gas.

As part of implementing NOC’s strategic plan to increase production and ensure the safety of the infrastructure at oil fields, the Arabian Gulf Oil Company has replaced the production line linking wells G44 and G274 in contract area 91 in the Nafoura Awjila field.

The old deteriorating line was replaced with a new 3-inch line over a length of 600 metres fully meeting all safety standards. The work was completed within the specified time and the wells were brought on to the production line.

Source: NOC

SOLAR POWER USE IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS BACKED BY AUTHORITIES

Written by rida on . Posted in Renewable Energy.


By Michel Cousins / Libya Energy.

In December 2023, the Renewable Energy Authority of Libya (REAoL) announced plans to encourage mosques across the country to install solar panels.

It was part of an initiative to install the panels on all state institution buildings. Now named “Go Green”, the initiative has been developed by REAoL in conjunction with the Tripoli-based Ministry of Industry & Minerals and the Ministry of Planning.

As part of Go Green, solar panels have already been installed on various official buildings, notably health centres. These have included clinics in Yefren, Zintan, Khoms, Emsalata, Tarhouna, Tajoura and Janzour. Most recently, solar panels were set up at the local hospital in Al-Aziziya. Additionally, REAoL has been in talks with other state organisations, including the Libyan Iron and Steel Company in Misrata, about using solar power. There have been similar talks with the Misrata municipality.

The Go Green drive, itself part of the National Strategy for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, aims to reduce dependence on fossil fuel-generated power by five to ten percent by 2035.

A larger strategy is to produce 4 GW of electricity from renewables by 2035. By then it is predicted that 20 percent of Libya’s energy generation will come from these sources. This strategy includes solar parks, such as a 200 MW solar photovoltaic power park on a 500-hectare site near Nalut, as well as wind farms.

But the focus at present is on smaller projects, such as getting panels onto existing buildings.

Indeed, the Go Green-related projects carried out so far have been relatively small in number, partly because the initiative is still in its initial stages. The immediate objective is 12,000 rooftop solar systems.

So far, most of the interest has come from communities away from the big cities, where connections to the national grid have been less reliable and power cuts more common. A dependable solar-based supply is an attractive proposition, especially given Libya’s abundance of sunshine. Worldwide, it ranks ninth for solar radiation.

It is not just REAoL that is pushing for action.The Tripoli-based planning ministry has become an enthusiastic partner in promoting alternative energy. There has been a number of meetings on the subject between the head of REAoL, Abdul Salam Al-Ansari, and the GNU planning minister, Mohamed Al-Zaidani. In one such meeting on August 18, the minister said that renewable energy was of the the utmost importance and that the ministry was doing everything it could to transform Libya into a producer of clean energy.

To encourage solar installations, the authorities are reported to be planning to offer advantageous loans, although no details have as yet been disclosed.

The Go Green initiative has been developed with support from a number of non-Libyan organisations such as USAID. In an August report in on the initiative, USAID said that transitioning to renewable energy would have beneficial financial consequences in Libya.

“A large portion of Libya’s national budget subsidises electricity generation, money that could be used for other priorities.”

It also quoted an electrical engineer, Mohamed Elamin of Insiab Libya Solar, who has been installing solar power systems in southern Libya for several years.

“Electricity access in southern areas and the significantly high temperatures have led to increased demand for solar panels and systems,” he said, noting also that Libyans in remoter areas wanted to avoid dependence on the electricity grid.

Many appear impressed with the Go Green project. USAID has said that as a result of it, Libya is “integrating energy-efficient solutions, develop- ing renewable energy resources and mitigating risks from climate-related disasters, while ensuring communities have the necessary energy for homes and businesses”.

NOC agreement with telecoms companies on smart cities

Written by rida on . Posted in News, Oil and Gas.

On 25 September, the National Oil Corporation signed an agreement with domestic telecommunications companies aimed at enabling oil towns to become smart IT cities.

The agreement with Libya Almadar, Libyana and Hatif Libya, entitled “Towards Smart Oil Cities”, envisages the use of new digital communications systems so that oil towns to become IT centres which will enhance oil operations capabilities and boost production sustainability.

These partnerships are seen as reflecting the strategic role of the communications sector in facilitating control operations and smart management of the resources.

NOC board member Husien Safar said that these agreements are a leap in the cooperation between the oil ad communication sectors. “The digital transformation will play a pivotal role in improving the oil sector,” he added. He also affirmed that using modern technology would decrease the operational expenses and increase oil production.

Source: NOC

NOC and AGOCO organise a workshop about developing some wells.

Written by rida on . Posted in News, Oil and Gas.

The National Oil Corporation arranged a workshop with the Arabian Golf Oil Company (AGOCO) on 24 September at the NOC headquarters in Tripoli on the development of both a number of existing fields and of undeveloped fields belonging to AGOCO. The aim it to bring them into full production.

Source: NOC