On 1 September, protesters from western Libyan cities gathered outside the Mellitah Oil and Gas Complex and threatened to shut the facility over prolonged power cuts, unequal load-shedding and deteriorating services. Protesters also criticised continued gas exports to Italy while domestic electricity shortages persist.
Some reports subsequently claimed protesters had halted operations, although it remained unclear whether processing or exports were affected.
The action follows the 28 July breach and temporary shutdown of Mellitah. NOC has meanwhile sought to demonstrate a response to domestic gas shortages: on 18 August, Chairman Masoud Suleiman instructed officials to accelerate expansion of the domestic gas network and increase local utilisation.