Libya’s National Oil Company (NOC) has decided to power the Obari plant with natural gas instead of crude oil, according to a company statement.

“Supplying natural gas instead of crude oil would increase the efficiency of the Obari plant and significantly reduce emissions. The switch to gas would also save at-least 15,000 barrels per day (b/d) that could be sold internationally, further increasing Libya’s export capacity and contributing to national revenue growth,” Mustafa Sanalla, NOC Chairman explained.

To accelerate this process, the NOC Board of Directors also approved Zallaf Oil & Gas Exploration and Production Company’s plans to advance exploration at the Atshan gas field (NC210 and NC151).

Sanalla also noted that NOC hopes the Ministry of Planning will approve necessary funding to progress the strategic project as soon as possible.

On the other hand, a feasibility study to develop the Atshan field was presented to the company’s board, which authorized a series of comprehensive reservoir studies and a development plan to determine existing gas reserves, feasible production rates, and associated development and production costs.