Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) says most of the country’s natural gas production is reserved for domestic use, dismissing claims that the majority of its gas is exported to Italy.

The corporation said gas transported through the Greenstream pipeline accounts for no more than 10% of the production share allocated to its Italian partner, Eni, under a field development agreement. It explained that increasing local demand, particularly during the summer when electricity consumption rises, has prompted it to purchase most of Eni’s share to supply the domestic market.

The NOC also said the Greenstream pipeline continues to operate at minimum levels for technical and operational reasons, warning that a complete shutdown and restart could lead to high costs, infrastructure damage and operational risks.

The clarification follows protests at the Mellitah complex that disrupted gas supplies to power plants in an apparent attempt to stop exports. The corporation said the action was based on misinformation, stressing that domestic gas supply remains its priority while it continues to meet contractual obligations with international partners.

Libya’s Government of National Unity has since announced that the Mellitah complex has been secured and gas deliveries to power stations have resumed, reducing concerns over widespread electricity disruptions.