TRIPOLI, Oct. 25 (Xinhua) -- Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced on Sunday the opening of the Al-Rashad gas field south of the coastal city of Brega in eastern Libya, with production capacity of up to 50 million cubic feet per day.
NOC Chairman Masoud Suleiman said the opening coincided with the 65th anniversary of Libya's first oil export from the port of Brega in 1961.
The field is expected to boost gas supplies and support the needs of power plants and industrial sectors in the country.
Meanwhile, the NOC also announced the restart of the Brega refinery following a major maintenance overhaul. Brega lies on the Gulf of Sirte coast, about 700 to 750 km east of Tripoli by road.
Libya is seeking to boost its natural gas output to meet domestic demand, especially for electricity, while supporting energy exports. According to NOC's 2025 report, the country's gas production totaled 903 billion cubic feet, of which 633 billion cubic feet was consumed. ■