Libya’s El Feel oilfield was shut early on Feb. 23 due to the presence of armed groups in the area, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters on Feb. 23.

The field was producing 70,000 barrels per day prior to the shutdown.

On Feb. 22, there were negotiations to try to resolve a protest by some guards at the field, which had led to the evacuation of non-essential staff the previous day, sources said.

The field is operated by a joint venture between state-owned National Oil Corp. and Italy’s Eni (NYSE: E).

Crude from the field is blended with condensate from the Wafa Field to form the Mellitah blend, which is exported from the Mellitah terminal.