A major oil refinery in Libya has suspended operations due to armed clashes that resulted in significant damage and fires. The National Oil Corporation declared force majeure, indicating the severity of the situation. Although one fatality has been reported, emergency personnel managed to contain the fires. The refinery is crucial for local fuel supply, and efforts are underway to ensure continuity despite the disruptions.
A significant oil refinery in western Libya ceased operations following armed clashes that erupted early on Sunday, resulting in damage and fires at several storage units, as reported by the state-owned National Oil Corporation (NOC). The NOC has declared a state of force majeure due to the substantial damage caused by gunfire to the Zawiya refinery’s storage tanks. Emergency services responded effectively to manage the fires and gas leaks, ensuring that the threat was contained.
Social media footage depicted the refinery’s burning oil tanks, which is the sole supplier of fuel products to the local market, located approximately 45 kilometers from Tripoli. The NOC stated that the ongoing clashes have significant implications for safety but assured citizens that fuel supplies would remain uninterrupted. Khaled Ghulam, a spokesman for the NOC, confirmed, “All of the fires in the refinery’s storage units that were hit in the clashes have been brought under control,” indicating a proactive emergency response.
Reports indicate at least one fatality and ten injuries resulting from the clashes, although formal confirmation of these figures is pending. Due to the prevailing violence, educational institutions in Zawiya and surrounding areas have suspended classes, and the coastline road linking the city with Tripoli was temporarily closed and has since been reopened.
The invocation of force majeure allows the NOC to avoid liability for any failure to meet contractual obligations arising from the current conflict. Libya, endowed with vast hydrocarbon resources, is striving to restore stability following years of turmoil, particularly after the 2011 uprising that ousted former leader Muammar Gaddafi. Although frequent disruptions have affected oil production, recent improvements in security and investment have led to a modest production increase, reaching approximately 1.4 million barrels per day by early December.
Libya possesses the most abundant hydrocarbon reserves in Africa, which have been substantially impacted by ongoing conflicts and political instability since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The Zawiya oil refinery is a critical infrastructure that not only supports the local fuel market but also represents a significant part of Libya’s oil production capacity. The refinery, with a capacity exceeding 120,000 barrels per day, is positioned in a region that has experienced heightened violence due to clashes among armed factions. Regular conflicts often disrupt operations in key oil facilities, leading to challenges in maintaining consistent fuel supplies.
The cessation of operations at the Zawiya oil refinery underscores the ongoing instability in Libya and the direct impact of armed clashes on vital infrastructure. The National Oil Corporation’s declaration of force majeure highlights the severity of the situation and its potential implications for fuel supply stability in the region. While emergency measures have been implemented, the situation points to the broader challenges that Libya faces in securing its oil production and maintaining peace in the volatile landscape of armed conflict.
Original Source: jordantimes.com
