Guards killed in raid on Libyan oil field

An attack on an oil field in eastern Libya by suspected Islamic State militants has been repelled but has left two guards dead.

Two guards are dead in an attack on an oil field in Libya by suspected Islamic State militants. (AAP)

Two guards have been killed in an attempted attack on an oil field in eastern Libya by suspected Islamic State militants, a guards spokesman says.

Ali al-Hassi said guards had repelled Saturday's attack on Bayda field, about 250km south of the major oil terminals of Es Sider and Ras Lanuf. A security official from the nearby town of Maradah said the militants were in a convoy of about 10 vehicles.

Militants loyal to Islamic State have carried out repeated attacks in the area, but have not taken control of any oil facilities.