Fires at Libya’s Zawiya Refinery Prompt Force Majeure Amidst Political Tensions

Several fires broke out at Libya’s Zawiya refinery over the weekend, leading the National Oil Corporation (NOC) to declare a temporary force majeure on Sunday. By Monday morning, the fires had been controlled, but the force majeure was still in effect, as reported by Reuters.

The fires were reportedly caused by gunfire, igniting several oil tanks at the refinery, Libya’s largest, which processes 120,000 barrels of oil daily. The NOC confirmed that the damage resulted from “armed clashes using light and medium weapons” in the vicinity of the refinery. The corporation has urged the Libyan government to halt the clashes, warning of further potential damage to the refinery and the risk of human casualties.

While no specific details were provided on the groups involved, the attack underscores the continued instability affecting Libya’s oil industry. The Zawiya refinery has been a critical asset for the country’s oil production, and this latest incident highlights the vulnerability of key infrastructure amidst ongoing political and security challenges.

This event comes just weeks after Libya’s oil production reached a significant milestone. The NOC had announced that production had risen to 1.386 million barrels per day (bpd), with an additional 200,000 bpd in liquid hydrocarbons, bringing the country’s total to 1.59 million bpd. This production surge followed efforts to stabilize the industry after earlier disruptions caused by political disputes and blockades. Major oil companies like Eni and BP have returned to Libya, boosting optimism for a more stable future.