Libya Increases Protection of its Oilfields Along Algerian Border

[Seabastian.Smith]

Libya has strengthened its oil protection force in southwestern oilfields near the Algerian border after the In Amenas attack in its neighbour.

The 15,000 strong Petroleum Faculty Guard, the majority made up of former rebel fighters from the 2011 war that ousted Muammar Gaddafi, is divided into five branches across the country.

"They may not have the experience because many of them are not from the army, they are rebel fighters but they want to protect their country," said Colonel Ali Elahrash, head of Libya's Petroleum Faculty Guard.

While the return of foreign oil companies to Libya helped it climb back up close to pre-war output of 1.6 million barrels per day, the full return of expatriate workers has been slow to the country, awash with weapons, because of precarious security. It is hoped that this increase to the Petroleum Faculty Guard will reassure foreign oil workers.

[Ed Mojica]

If foreigners were worried about working in Libya before, then they will be more worried now.

The extra recruits to the Petroleum Faculty Guard will make no difference, especially as most of them are untrained.

I think the energy sector in North Africa will be a bit delicate for a few months at least, and certainly no new foreign investments will be made in the region.