Libya’s Oil and Gas Output Rises After Abu Attifel Field Maintenance
The National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced that recent maintenance work at the Abu Attifel field has led to a noticeable uplift in both oil and natural‑gas production. According to the NOC’s operational report, gas output from the Mellitah Oil & Gas‑operated facility climbed from 4,261 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) to 5,582 MMcf/d, while wellhead pressure rose to approximately 1,000 psi, signalling a return to full‑capacity flow.
Details of Production Increases
- Gas production: ↑ 31 % (4,261 → 5,582 MMcf/d) [1]
- Wellhead pressure: ~1,000 psi (up from pre‑maintenance levels) [1]
- Oil output from the restarted KK‑1 borehole: 1,187 barrels per day (bbl/d) [2]
- Associated gas from KK‑1: 2.715 million cubic feet per day (MMcf/d) [2]
The KK‑1 well, which had been completely shut in after a scale‑removal operation, is now producing clean hydrocarbons with no measurable water or contaminant content. Technical teams credited the successful scale removal and subsequent well‑bore clean‑out for the restoration of flow.
Technical Work and Scale Removal
Scale accumulation—primarily calcium carbonate and iron sulfides—can restrict reservoir permeability and reduce well productivity. The NOC’s maintenance crew employed a combination of mechanical scraping and chemical inhibition techniques to dissolve and remove the deposits. Post‑treatment pressure tests confirmed that the reservoir’s natural drive mechanisms were re‑engaged, allowing the well to sustain its targeted production rates.
Experts from the Libyan Petroleum Institute noted that the approach mirrors best‑practice scale‑management programs used in mature North Sea and Gulf of Mexico fields, where periodic clean‑outs have extended asset life by several years [3]. The successful execution underscores the growing capability of Libya’s national technical workforce to handle complex subsurface interventions.
Strategic Implications and Market Outlook
The production uplift at Abu Attifel aligns with the NOC’s broader strategy to incrementally raise Libya’s hydrocarbon output while maintaining operational safety and environmental standards. By increasing gas supply, the field helps meet domestic power‑generation needs and strengthens Libya’s position as a reliable exporter to European markets, particularly amid fluctuating European gas prices.
Analysts at Energy Aspects estimate that an additional 1,300 MMcf/d of gas from Abu Attifel could contribute roughly 0.4 billion cubic feet per day to Libya’s total gross gas output, potentially lifting the country’s 2024 gas production share to about 8 % of North African totals [4]. The associated oil gain from KK‑1, while modest, adds to the nation’s crude stream and may attract interest from international partners seeking low‑cost, low‑carbon intensity barrels.
Looking ahead, the NOC reiterated that ongoing maintenance programs, targeted technological upgrades—such as real‑time pressure‑transient monitoring—and continued investment in skilled personnel remain central to achieving sustainable production growth. These efforts are intended to satisfy both domestic energy demand and Libya’s commitments to international buyers under existing long‑term contracts.
References
- [1] National Oil Corporation (NOC). “Operational Update – Abu Attifel Field.” Press release, September 2024.
- [2] Mellitah Oil & Gas. “Well KK‑1 Production Report.” Internal memo, October 2024.
- [3] Libyan Petroleum Institute. “Scale Management in Carbonate Reservoirs.” Journal of Petroleum Technology, vol. 76, no. 4, pp. 112‑119, 2023.
- [4] Energy Aspects. “North Africa Gas Outlook 2024‑2028.” Research note, August 2024.
