Africa Intelligence: New Threats Facing Libya’s Oil Sector… and New Candidates Nominated to Lead the National Oil Corporation

A report by Africa Intelligence stated that while Haftar continues to loom over the scene, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh insists on maintaining control over the National Oil Corporation. The report highlights that Dbeibeh’s challenge lies in preserving his influence over the oil sector while simultaneously attempting to appease Khalifa Haftar — a complex balancing act as he struggles to appoint a new head for the NOC.

According to the report, Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh, Prime Minister of the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity, is buying time by keeping Masoud Suleiman as the interim head of the National Oil Corporation. This comes despite the pressing need to appoint a fully renewed Board of Directors. Suleiman, the former deputy chairman of the NOC, has held the position for over three months with the Prime Minister’s approval following the dismissal of former chairman Farhat Omar Bin Qadara.

The report continues: while appointing a new NOC chairman remains a major challenge for the Prime Minister, nominating someone without the approval of Haftar’s circle is not an option. The commander of the Libyan National Army continues to threaten to shut down oil fields, most of which are located in the eastern region of Cyrenaica.

According to Africa Intelligence, two figures close to Haftar’s circle are currently being considered for the top post in the east:

• Aref Al-Nayed, Libya’s former ambassador to the UAE
• Mohamed Ben Shatwan, Chairman of the Arabian Gulf Oil Company (AGOCO)

However, Dbeibeh is reluctant to appoint someone perceived as aligned with Haftar. As the head of the Supreme Council for Energy Affairs — which holds sway over the NOC’s decisions — Dbeibeh prefers to continue working with the current board members:

• Ahmed Ammar
• Hussein Safer
• Khalifa Rajab Abdul-Sadiq (the current Minister of Oil and Gas)

These three were appointed when Bin Qadara became NOC chairman, under a deal brokered between Ibrahim Dbeibeh (a relative and key ally of the Prime Minister) and Saddam Haftar (Khalifa Haftar’s son), with Abu Dhabi’s sponsorship (Africa Intelligence, 21/10/22).

Recently, Haftar’s circle has secured new key positions within companies affiliated with the NOC:

• Mohamed Bashir Al-Hamrouni was appointed Chairman of Waha Oil Company in mid-March. Waha is a joint venture with French company TotalEnergies and American company ConocoPhillips. He replaced Fathi Bin Zahiya, who was suspended in February by order of the Public Prosecutor on charges of fraud involving 770 million Libyan dinars (around €150 million at the time), according to the report.
• Ben Shatwan, a close associate of Saddam Haftar, retained his chairmanship at AGOCO and also expanded his influence by becoming Chairman of Mellitah Oil and Gas Company in February.