Libyan Protesters Shut Down Eni Gas Pipeline to Italy

Gas flow from Libya to Italy was halved on Monday from normal values, as local protesters have shut down a gas pumping station supplying Eni. 

The affected field feeds the Greenstream pipeline to Sicily. According to Reuters, import flows were around 8.5 million cubic metres compared with shipper requests for 18 mcm, which would make up around 10% of Italy’s daily demand. 

Hydrocarbon production dropped last month. Libya’s oil production dropped to lowest level since the 2011 civil war that toppled Muammar Qaddafi. 

Protesters try to voice their concerns about the future constitution. Members of Libya’s Berber minority cut off the gas pipeline in the western Jebel Nafussa area. 

The closure of the pipeline is a protest “against the non-inclusion in the constitution of the Amazigh (Berber) language,” said Abdullah Sleiman, vice-president of the Nalout town council.

Italy relies mainly on imports from Russia and Algeria, with Libya representing 10% of the daily demand.