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3.3.1.4 Libya
Libya is currently the smallest gas supplier of the EU via pipeline. In 2015 it provid-
ed to Europe around 7bcm (75TWh), 2% of the supply share. This is expected to
remain almost unchanged along the time horizon of this Report.
Reserves
With its 1,500 bcm
1)
(16,500 TWh) of proven natural gas reserves Libya ranks
among the African countries with the largest gas reserves of the continent. Prior to
the civil turmoil since 2011, new discoveries and investments in natural gas
exploration had been expected to raise Libya’s proved reserves but they have not
occurred.
Production
Most of the country’s production is coming from the onshore Wafa field as well as
from the offshore Bahr Essalam field. Production grew substantially from 5.5bcm
(59TWh) in 2003 to nearly 17bcm (187TWh) in 2010. In 2011 Libyan production
was almost entirely shut down due to the civil war. Compared to 2010, more than a
50% drop was registered, with the production decreasing to 8 bcm (88 TWh).
According to BP Statistical Review, natural gas production has since recovered to
approximately 13bcm (143TWh/y) in 2015.
Exports
Piped exports are transported via the Green Stream pipeline which came online in
2004. This 520 km offshore pipeline connects Libya to Italy through Sicily. This
infrastructure has a total capacity of around 12bcma.
0
30
60
90
%
0
8
4
12
16
bcm
2000 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09
11
13
10
2015
12
14
Production
Demand
Export / Production
Export/production
Figure 3.28:
Libyan gas production, consumption and export ratio 2000–2015.
(Sources: BP statistical review, EIA and Snam Rete Gas)
In 1971, after the United States and Algeria, Libya became the third country in the
world to export liquefied natural gas. Processed in Masra El-Brega LNG plant, LNG
was mostly exported to Spain. The plant was damaged in 2011 and since then Libya
has not exported LNG.
From March to mid-October 2011 Libyan exports to Italy were completely interrupt-
ed due to the civil turmoil. Exports soon recovered in 2012 to 6.5bcm and stayed
relatively unchanged in the years after.
1) BP Statistical Report 2016