Libya has sent its first crude oil cargo in two years

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The first export cargo of crude oil has left Libya since 2014. The Seadelta tanker bound for Italy had shipment totaled 776,000 barrels. Citing a port official, Bloomberg informs that it will be followed by the Syra, which will load 600,000 barrels at Ras Lanuf and deliver them to Italy.

Until last week the country’s oil export terminals were under control of the Petroleum Facilities Guard. Later control over Ras Lanuf, Zueitina, El Sider, and Al-Brega was wrestled from the PFG by the Libyan National Army, which brought back the National Oil Corporation (NOC).

Last weekend the PFG tried to retake Ras Lanuf but the LNA forces managed to stop the attack though the loading of the Seadelta tanker was interrupted by the events.

Libya is now expanding its oil production. According to a National Oil Corporation official, September showed an average output of 450,000 barrels per day as compared to the average daily output of 260,000 bpd in August. Some oil fields are now being restarted after the attacks and the industry is growing.