NOC's Pipeline Network: A Comprehensive Overview

Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC) boasts an intricate network of pipelines that spans across the country, connecting its oilfields to Mediterranean terminals. After the nationalization of the oil industry in the early 1970s, NOC acquired full ownership of the pipelines, with companies retaining exploration and production (E&P) equity allowed to operate them on NOC's behalf. The extensive pipeline network includes the Sarir to Marsa El Hariga pipeline, the Messla to Ras Lanuf pipeline, and others, totaling over 2,300 miles in length. A new 622 km crude oil pipeline is set to be built from Tobruk to Alexandria, Egypt, under an agreement signed in July 1997.

Key Takeaways:

• NOC owns and operates a vast pipeline network spanning over 2,300 miles in Libya, connecting oilfields to Mediterranean terminals.
• The main crude oil pipelines are: Sarir to Marsa El Hariga (318 miles), Messla to Ras Lanuf (298 miles), Waha to Es Sider (267 miles), and others.
• A new 622 km crude oil pipeline is to be built from Tobruk to Alexandria, Egypt, with a capacity of 150,000 b/d, under an agreement signed in July 1997.
• The pipeline will include 127 km in Libyan territory and 495 km in Egypt, with Petrojet and Libyan companies handling the construction.
• A new refinery in Alexandria with a capacity of 150,000 b/d is expected to be built in conjunction with the pipeline project.
• NOC built gas pipelines with a total capacity of 10 BCM/y between 1981 and 1990, consisting of 10 big lines for associated gas and five smaller ones for non-associated gas.
• A 670-km pipeline with a capacity of 4.1 MCM/day opened in September 1989, connecting the Marsa El Brega terminal to the town of Khoms, supplying gas to industries and power stations.

Statistics:

• 2,300 miles: total length of NOC's pipeline network in Libya
• 318 miles: length of the Sarir to Marsa El Hariga pipeline
• 298 miles: length of the Messla to Ras Lanuf pipeline
• 150,000 b/d: capacity of the new 622 km crude oil pipeline to be built from Tobruk to Alexandria
• 127 km: length of pipeline to be built in Libyan territory
• 495 km: length of pipeline to be built in Egyptian territory
• 10 BCM/y: total capacity of gas pipelines built by NOC between 1981 and 1990
• 670 km: length of the pipeline inaugurated in September 1989
• 4.1 MCM/day: capacity of the pipeline inaugurated in September 1989

Sources:

• [1] Egyptian Oil Minister Hamdi Al Banbi and Libyan Energy Secretary Abdullah Salem Al Badri's agreement signed in July 1997
• [2] NOC's construction of gas pipelines between 1981 and 1990
• [3] Inauguration of the 670-km pipeline in September 1989