Pipeline Valve Closure Raises Fresh Concerns Over Libya Oil Supply
An unidentified armed group shut a valve on a pipeline linked to one of Libya’s major oil fields, triggering a drop in production, Libya’s National Oil Corporation said late Monday.
The disruption threatens output from the Al-Sharara field, a key source of crude for Libya, an OPEC member that holds Africa’s largest proven oil reserves. Armed groups and protesters have repeatedly targeted the country’s oil fields, pipelines and export terminals over the years to press political or economic demands.
According to the NOC, the closure affected a pipeline connecting Al-Sharara, located about 900 kilometers south of Tripoli, to the coastal city of Zawiya, home to one of Libya’s main export terminals. The company did not identify the group responsible. It said the closure caused a pressure buildup within the crude oil pipeline, resulting in a significant reduction in production at the field.
If the shutdown continues, the NOC warned it could be compelled to declare force majeure, a legal provision that allows suppliers to suspend contractual obligations due to circumstances beyond their control. Such a move would directly cut into state revenues at a moment when global oil prices are climbing, the company added. It also cautioned that the Zawiya refinery, roughly 45 kilometers west of Tripoli, could be forced to shut down if the disruption drags on.
Despite sitting on vast energy wealth, Libya has remained mired in violence and instability since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The country continues to be split between the UN-recognized government in Tripoli, led by Prime Minister Abdulhamid Dbeibah, and a rival administration in the east backed by military strongman Khalifa Haftar.
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