Farhat Bengdara, newly appointed NOC chairman
Gunpoint exit for Libya’s Sanalla
A figure from the Gaddafi era has replaced the NOC’s top man. Initial consequences have been positive for output, but uncertainty and risks remain
Libya’s oil industry has been rocked by fresh turbulence after armed groups stormed the headquarters of state-owned National Oil Corporation (NOC) to enforce the sacking of its chairman Mustafa Sanalla. Sanalla, in post since 2014, was fired by one of Libya’s two rival administrations, the Government of National Unity (GNU). Libya’s parliament, which is based in the east of the country and controls a rival government, has denounced his replacement as unconstitutional. Tensions between Sanalla and the GNU have been simmering for months. The GNU is internationally recognised but was installed last year as a temporary government to oversee elections in December. When those elections were cancel
Also in this section
9 January 2026
The Latin American producer’s crude prospects rely on a multi-pronged approach where even the relatively easy wins will take considerable time, effort and cost
9 January 2026
While many forecasters are reasserting the importance of oil and gas, petrostates should be under no illusion things are changing, and faster than they might think
8 January 2026
Indonesia and Malaysia are at the dawn of breathtaking digital capabilities. Their energy infrastructure must keep up with their ambitions
8 January 2026
The next five years will be critical for the North Sea, and it will be policy not geology that will decide the basin’s future
