Output Libya's new Murzuk oil field growing towards 200,000 bpd

Libya's giant Murzuk oil field is producing at a rate of about 50,000 bpd and is on course to hit its target of 100,000 bpd by the end of 1997, industry sources said. The $ 1 billion project, operated by Spain's Repsol in partnership with Austria's OMV and France's Total, started producing last December at a rate of 20,000 bpd.
The success of Murzuk and other new fields under development with foreign partners is vital to Libya's efforts to maintain crude oil production capacity at 1.4-1.5 mm bpd. Libya produced 1.43 mm bpd in March, up 30,000 bpd from February, and above its OPEC quota of 1.39 mm bpd, according to a recent survey.
Murzuk production is currently flowing into Libya's Zawia refinery, with the foreign partners taking delivery of alternative export grades such as Es Sider in exchange. Industry sources say Murzuk, a high quality light crude, is unlikely to appear on the Mediterranean spot market before the second quarter of 1998. Second phase production at Murzuk is expected toreach 200,000 bpd. "The refinery can only take 100-120,000 bpd but before Murzuk can be exported the pipeline capacity needs to be expanded," said a source.