There has been confusion over the extent of disruption to crude output at the Gialo 59 field in eastern Libya, which has been hit by sit-ins over the past week.

The three countries have signed a protocol in Khartoum to cooperate in mineral exploration in joint border areas.

In an interview with the AFP news agency, Libya's oil and gas minister repeated previous suggestions that a new licensing round might be launched before the end of the year.

The Ministry of Oil and Gas is planning to implement a new human resources development programme for all companies and workers operating under the National Oil Corporation (NOC).

Polish oil and gas firm plans to commence exploratory drilling in Libya next month.

A spokesman for employees at Libya's largest refinery at Ras Lanuf told The Libya Report that workers are striking to demand management changes and upgrades to the facility.

Germany's Wintershall achieved record oil and gas production last year thanks to an improvement in its Libya output, and the firm also completed construction on a new pipeline in the north-east of the country.

Gas exports to Italy have resumed after disruption caused by clashes near the Mellitah complex at Zuwara, with volumes expected to be at normal levels by the end of this week.

The Secretary-General of the Organisation of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) has held talks in Tripoli with Libya's energy minister and NOC chairman.

The head of the National Oil Corporation (NOC) has discussed BP's exploration plans with the manager of the UK firm's Libya operations

The Mellitah energy complex in north-west Libya has resumed pumping gas to local power stations, the state news agency reports.

Armed clashes around the Mellitah energy complex in western Libya have reportedly halted gas exports to Italy through the Greenstream pipeline.

A delegation of Libyan energy officials, including oil and gas minister Abdelbari al-Arusi and NOC chairman Nuri Berruien, has been visiting Brazil to hold talks.

German energy firm plans to drill two exploration wells in its Area 58 concession, in north-east Libya, at the end of this year.

Libya exported a total of 39.1 million barrels of crude oil in January, according to the NOC, while overall production stood at 1.4 million barrels per day (bpd).