The National Oil Corporation of Libya announced on September 26, 2026, that it had been forced to halt one of the refining units at the Zawiya refinery. This decision was made due to the ongoing forced closure of the Spark crude pipeline. The closure has prevented the supply of crude oil to the refinery, prompting the corporation to take precautionary measures to ensure the continued operation of the remaining refining unit.
The forced closure of the Spark crude pipeline is being carried out by armed groups affiliated with the Petroleum Facilities Guard in the southwestern region and the western military region. This has resulted in the inability to transport crude oil to the refinery through the main pipeline. As a result, technical teams have been forced to take emergency measures to maintain the continuity of available operations.
In response to the crisis, the National Oil Corporation is considering programming a shipment of crude oil through one of the ports, either Mellitah or Sidra, to supply the Zawiya refinery. This move aims to ensure the refinery's continued operation and minimize any potential impact on fuel supplies to power plants.
The importance of this measure is underscored by the reliance of western Tripoli and Al-Harsha power plants on daily fuel supplies, which amount to approximately 5,200 cubic meters. The continued operation of the refinery and the flow of crude oil are crucial in supporting the regular supply of fuel to the electricity sector.
The National Oil Corporation has warned of the potential consequences of continued obstruction of crude oil flow through the main pipeline. The corporation emphasized that prolonged closure could negatively impact the country's overall oil revenues and increase the cost of importing fuel, placing additional burdens on the national economy.
These developments occur as the corporation strives to maintain stability in refining operations and supplies while minimizing the impact of any disruptions to crude oil transportation on vital sectors, particularly electricity. Technical teams continue to assess available alternatives to secure the refinery's needs while awaiting a resolution to the pipeline closure and the resumption of Spark crude oil flow.
The corporation stressed that any delay in addressing the situation could impose additional pressure on the fuel system and affect the refinery's ability to meet domestic market needs. It highlighted the importance of ensuring the smooth flow of crude oil and protecting oil transportation lines and facilities from any disruptions, which could have significant repercussions for the national economy.
Key points
- The National Oil Corporation's decision to halt one of the refining units at the Zawiya refinery was made due to the continued forced closure of the Spark crude pipeline.
- The closure of the pipeline has prevented the supply of crude oil to the refinery, prompting the corporation to take precautionary measures.
- The situation could negatively impact the country's oil revenues and increase the cost of importing fuel if not resolved promptly.
