Gas Reverse-Flow Project Boosts Power Supply: Libya’s NOC

The National Oil Corporation (NOC) says engineers at Mellitah Oil and Gas have successfully implemented an “innovative” reverse-flow operation to supply natural gas from the Mellitah industrial complex to the Ruwais power station.

The NOC said initial pumping rates reached around 25 million cubic feet per day, equivalent to about 440,000 standard cubic metres daily, with the potential to increase capacity gradually to 100 million cubic feet per day.

It added that the move has enabled the General Electricity Company of Libya to shut down diesel-powered turbines and switch to natural gas, generating up to 100 megawatts in the first phase. This, it said, would improve flexibility in the power grid and significantly reduce liquid fuel costs.

The NOC chairman reaffirmed the corporation’s commitment to supplying sufficient gas to operate the Ruwais plant at full capacity, which exceeds 750 megawatts, despite what he described as operational challenges and limited resources.