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El Feel Oil Field

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El Feel Oil Field (Libya)

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The El Feel oil field, commonly referred to as the Elephant Field, is located in the remote Murzuq Basin in southwestern Libya, approximately 800 kilometers south of Tripoli. It was discovered in 1997 by a consortium led by the British company Lasmo, and official production commenced in 2004. Today, the field is operated by Mellitah Oil & Gas, a joint venture between Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC) and the Italian energy major Eni. With a production capacity of roughly 130,000 barrels of crude oil per day, it stands as one of the country's most significant inland energy assets. The extracted crude is transported via a 740-kilometer pipeline to the Mellitah terminal on the Mediterranean coast for export to international markets. Despite facing numerous operational shutdowns due to political instability and local protests over the years, the field remains a cornerstone of the Libyan economy. Its development represents a major technical achievement given the harsh desert environment and the logistical complexity of transporting oil across such vast distances.

Best time to visit & climate

The most pleasant time to visit is Mar, Apr, Oct.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Avg °C101318242831323230241812
Rain mm3321411003323

📋 Practical info

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What is this place?
El Feel Oil Field, also known as the Elephant field, is a major source of Libyan crude oil in the southwestern desert. It contributes significantly to Libya's oil economy, supporting national energy supply and export revenues.
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Visiting
The oil field is located in a remote desert region with limited accessibility and is not open to the public for security reasons. However, the extraction facilities are visible from the long-distance road crossing the Hamada el-Hamra desert.
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Where to view it
The best viewpoint is the road from the town of Murzuk to Ubari, from where the silhouette of the drilling rigs can be seen on the vast desert plain. At sunset, the surrounding dunes offer a spectacular view over the field.
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Local products
Crude oil is not a direct trade good for travellers, but in the oasis towns of the region local products like dates, olives, and handcrafted Tuareg jewellery can be purchased. The souks in Sabha offer traditional Libyan textiles and leather goods.
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Active season
Oil extraction runs year-round, interrupted only by occasional maintenance or politically driven shutdowns. Peak export activity is typically recorded in the winter months when global demand rises.
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Nearby
Combine a visit with the oasis town of Ubari, known for its sand dunes and traditional architecture. Also the nearby Waw an-Namus, a volcanic crater with a scenic oasis, is worth a detour.

Geography

Coordinates
26.31000, 13.15000

Facts

  • The field is situated in the Murzuq Basin of southwestern Libya.
  • Discovery was made in 1997 by a consortium led by Lasmo.
  • Commercial oil production started in the year 2004.
  • The daily production capacity is approximately 130,000 barrels.
  • It is operated by Mellitah Oil & Gas, a joint venture of Eni and NOC.
  • A 740 km pipeline connects the field to the Mellitah coastal terminal.

Explore nearby

Notable places around

Mandara LakesMandara Lakes22 km · NExplore →
Wadi al-AjalWadi al-Ajal26 km · NWExplore →
Germa (Garama)Germa (Garama)26 km · NExplore →
Gaberoun LakeGaberoun Lake33 km · NEExplore →
Fezzan DesertFezzan Desert38 km · SWExplore →
Sharara Oil FieldSharara Oil Field41 km · NWExplore →
Awbari (Ubari)Awbari (Ubari)48 km · NWExplore →
Ubari Sand SeaUbari Sand Sea56 km · NWExplore →

Route planner — Car & Motorhome

Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.

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Only stops with (optional):

© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService

Sights nearby

Frequently asked questions

What does the name 'El Feel' mean?
'El Feel' means 'Elephant' in Arabic, referring to the size of the field.
Where exactly is the El Feel oil field located?
It is located in the Murzuq Basin in southwestern Libya, near the city of Sabha.
Is the field accessible to tourists?
No, it is a secured and restricted industrial zone.
What role does it play in the Libyan economy?
It is a major source of export revenue and is partly operated by Eni.
Are there dining options nearby?
Only in the distant oasis towns like Sabha or Murzuq.
El Feel Oil Field: where is it located?
El Feel Oil Field is located in Libya.
El Feel Oil Field: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Mar, Apr, Oct.
El Feel Oil Field: why is it worth visiting?
The El Feel oil field, commonly referred to as the Elephant Field, is located in the remote Murzuq Basin in southwestern Libya, approximately 800 kilometers south of Tripoli.
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Nearby cities

Murzuq — El Feel Oil Field (Libya)
Murzuq
An oasis town deep in the southwest, once a major center of the trans-Saharan trade.
Al Qatrun — El Feel Oil Field (Libya)
Al Qatrun
A small but strategically important outpost on the route towards Chad.
Awbari (Ubari) — El Feel Oil Field (Libya)
Awbari (Ubari)
An important hub in the Sahara, famous for the surrounding sand dunes and lakes.

History & landmarks

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Al-Asmariya Mosque
An important spiritual center in Zliten dedicated to Islamic scholarship.
Al Khums Lighthouse — El Feel Oil Field (Libya)
Al Khums Lighthouse
A prominent lighthouse at the port of Al Khums, guiding shipping along the historic coast.
Waw an Namus — El Feel Oil Field (Libya)
Waw an Namus
A unique volcanic crater in the Sahara featuring deep black ash and three vibrant lakes.

Nature

Mandara Lakes — El Feel Oil Field (Libya)
Mandara Lakes
A group of salt lakes in the desert.
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Gaberoun Lake
A salt lake in the middle of the Sahara.
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Wadi al-Hayat
A desert valley in the Sahara.

More places

🗺️
Sharara Oil Field
The Sharara oil field in the Murzuq Desert is one of Libya's largest and most productive oil fields.
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Murzuq Old Fort
A ruin of a massive Ottoman fort in the Fezzan, once a key bastion for trans-Saharan caravans.
Wadi al-Ajal — El Feel Oil Field (Libya)
Wadi al-Ajal
A long valley in Fezzan.
Germa (Garama) — El Feel Oil Field (Libya)
Germa (Garama)
The ancient capital of the Garamantes, a people who controlled the Saharan trade routes in antiquity.
Fezzan Desert — El Feel Oil Field (Libya)
Fezzan Desert
A large desert region in the southwest.
Ubari Sand Sea — El Feel Oil Field (Libya)
Ubari Sand Sea
A large area with sand dunes.
Gargaf Desert — El Feel Oil Field (Libya)
Gargaf Desert
The desert areas around the Gargaf Mountains.