The International Energy Agency expects Libya production back to normal in 2013

Maria van der Hoeven Executive Director of the International Energy Agency

The International Energy Agency is considered the energy body in charge in the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development which includes the richest countries in the world and the most fuel consumers. Maria van der Hoeven, the new Executive Director of the International Energy Agency which began her work in early September 2011, has announced "the agency does not expect the return of the Libyan oil exports to their levels previous the Libyan uprising before 2013.

During the recent weeks, the Libyan oil production fell from 1.6 million barrels per day before the armed uprising to only tens of thousands of barrels per day. It is not yet known how quickly the production will return to its previous status, despite the return of the oil operating companies, headed by the Italian Eni, the French Total and the Spanish Repsol, to work.

Van der Hoeven says "the matter is greatly related to what will happen in the coming months; what is first required is regaining the political stability, followed by stability in the oil production, refining and transport facilities, which will take quite some time.