The Libyan National Oil Corporation announced on September 26, 2026, that it had halted one of the refining units at the Zawiya refinery on an emergency basis. This decision was made to ensure the continued operation of the other unit for as long as possible. The halt was necessitated by the ongoing forced closure of the valve on the Sharara crude oil pipeline by armed groups affiliated with the Southwestern Petroleum Facilities Guard and the Western Military Region.
The National Oil Corporation stated that specialized teams are studying the possibility of scheduling a shipment of crude oil through one of the ports, either Mellitah or Sidra, to feed the refinery and ensure its continued operation. This move aims to mitigate the impact of the pipeline closure on the refinery's operations and the country's fuel supply.
The corporation warned that the losses resulting from the closure of the Sharara pipeline have exceeded $75 million. It emphasized that the continued obstruction of the pipeline would negatively affect the country's overall oil revenues, increase the bill for importing fuel, and harm the national economy.
The National Oil Corporation highlighted that the refinery's operation is crucial for supplying fuel to power plants, including the West Tripoli and Al-Harsha power plants, which require daily fuel supplies of approximately 5,200 cubic meters. The corporation stressed that any disruption to the refinery's operations could have severe consequences for the country's electricity generation.
The forced closure of the Sharara pipeline has significant implications for Libya's oil production and economy. The pipeline is a critical component of the country's oil infrastructure, and its closure has resulted in substantial losses for the National Oil Corporation.
The National Oil Corporation has repeatedly warned of the dangers of continued obstruction of the pipeline, emphasizing that it would have far-reaching consequences for the country's economy and oil revenues. The corporation has called for an end to the blockade to ensure the stability of the country's oil production and supply.
The situation at the Zawiya refinery and the Sharara pipeline is being closely monitored, with various stakeholders working to resolve the issue and restore the flow of crude oil. The National Oil Corporation is working to minimize the impact of the pipeline closure on the country's fuel supply and economy.
Key points
- The Libyan National Oil Corporation halts one of the refining units at the Zawiya refinery due to the forced closure of the Sharara crude oil pipeline.
- The closure of the pipeline has resulted in losses exceeding $75 million and threatens to disrupt fuel supplies to power plants.
- The National Oil Corporation warns that continued obstruction of the pipeline will negatively impact the country's oil revenues and economy.
