Italian energy giant Eni earlier this week denied requesting a 20 percent increase in Libyan gas deliveries to Italy, describing the document behind the report as forged.
In a statement dated 31 August, the group said it had made no request to increase supplies from Mellitah Oil & Gas or any other Libyan entity.
Eni also said the person identified in the document as one of its officials is not employed by the group. The gas export volumes to Italy cited in the letter are also inaccurate, the company said.
The report was initially published by Fawasel Media before being picked up by several local media outlets. According to Eni, Fawasel Media has since removed the article.
The Italian group also urged readers to refer to statements from Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) regarding the actual supply situation.
Libyan media outlets that reported the claim on 29 August have also published a correction and acknowledged their error.
The 20 percent increase reported in recent days therefore does not stem from any official request made by Eni to Libyan authorities or operators.
MK/te/lb/as/APA