Libya's Zawiya refinery faces supply disruption

The Zawiya refinery in Libya, one of the country's most critical oil processing facilities, is experiencing a significant disruption in its crude oil supply due to repeated interruptions in its pipeline systems. On Friday, October 30, the National Oil Corporation (NOC) reported that a valve on the pipeline connecting the Hamada and Tahara oil fields to the refinery had been closed by an armed group, though the group's identity remains unspecified.

Pipeline closure causes technical halt

The closure of the valve led to a sudden increase in pressure within the pipeline, prompting technical teams to stop the flow of crude oil. The NOC estimates that if the closure continues, the refinery could lose approximately 15,000 barrels of crude oil per day, significantly impacting its operations.

Recent disruptions on the same pipeline

This incident is the second reported disruption on the same pipeline this month. On October 22, the NOC announced that unauthorized individuals had entered a crude oil receiving station operated by Arabian Gulf Oil Company (Agoco) near the refinery, leading to the closure of a valve. These incidents are not isolated, as other supply routes for the Zawiya refinery have also been affected in recent months.

Other supply routes also blocked

In September, a different pipeline connecting the Zawiya refinery to the Al-Sharara field—the country's largest oil producer—was also blocked. In response, the NOC shut down a refining unit to maintain operations on the remaining supply routes. The NOC has since suggested the possibility of using alternative infrastructure, such as the Mellitah complex and the Es Sider export terminal, though it has not detailed how crude oil would be transported to the refinery.

Refinery's capacity and current output

The Zawiya refinery has a nominal processing capacity of 120,000 barrels of crude oil per day. According to the NOC, as of October 19, the refinery had processed 2.67 million tons of crude oil since the start of the year, achieving 73.32 percent of its annual target. The recent disruptions highlight the vulnerability of the refinery's supply chain to interference with crude oil transportation infrastructure.

NOC calls for government intervention

The NOC has not provided a timeline for the reopening of the closed valve or the resumption of crude oil pumping. It has urged the relevant government authorities to take action to secure the pipeline and facilitate the reopening of the valve to restore normal operations.