As our newsletter goes to press this morning, we are getting reports that the pumping of oil has resumed from the El Sharara field in the west of the country, after the local militia agreed to re-open the valves on the pipeline linking it to the export terminal.
Normal production is expected at Sharara by Friday, and facilities at the El Feel [El Fil, Elephant] field are currently being inspected with a view to a possible re-start.
Sadly, the same cannot be said for the eastern oil fields, where there is still deadlock.
In addition to the immediate effects of these stoppages, the image of Libya as a trustworthy and reliable supplier of oil has been damaged, and the country's representative at the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) anticipates problems in agreeing contracts into next year.
If Libyans want to maintain or improve their ranking as the fourth happiest country in Africa, they need to ensure that the oil flows out, so that the cash can flow in to maintain their services.
