Libya warns Zawiya refinery could shut after drone attacks
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Libya’s National Oil Corporation has warned that continued drone attacks could force it to shut down the Zawiya refinery, raising concerns over disruptions to the country’s oil and fuel supplies, according to the corporation and Reuters on August 10.
The warning followed a series of incidents targeting oil infrastructure in Zawiya, a city west of the capital Tripoli. The latest attack was reported near an oil facility, while a fire also broke out at a diesel storage tank at the Zawiya oil depot, according to the National Oil Corporation and Reuters on August 10.
The repeated attacks have raised concerns over the safety of critical infrastructure in an area that plays an important role in Libya’s fuel supply and oil operations. The National Oil Corporation said it had placed firefighting and safety teams on heightened alert following the incidents.
The Zawiya refinery is Libya’s largest operating refinery, with a capacity of about 120,000 barrels per day. It is also connected to the Sharara oilfield, one of the country’s largest sources of crude production, making any prolonged disruption potentially significant for Libya’s wider energy network.
The latest incidents come as Libya continues to struggle with political divisions and insecurity. Rival armed groups have maintained influence across parts of the country, while oil facilities have repeatedly faced disruptions linked to conflict, protests, infrastructure problems and political disputes.
The National Oil Corporation’s warning of a possible force majeure declaration underscores the potential economic consequences of further attacks. A shutdown at Zawiya could affect the country’s ability to process crude and supply refined petroleum products to the domestic market.
The incidents also highlight the vulnerability of Libya’s oil infrastructure, which remains central to government revenues and the country’s wider economy. Previous disruptions to pipelines and oilfields have caused production losses and forced the National Oil Corporation to redirect crude through alternative routes.
The government and security authorities now face pressure to protect the refinery and surrounding oil facilities from further attacks. Continued instability could place additional strain on Libya’s already fragile energy infrastructure and complicate efforts to maintain stable oil production.
For Libya, securing the Zawiya refinery is therefore not only a security challenge but also an economic priority, given the facility’s role in the country’s energy supply and its links to major oil-producing fields.
Reuters, Maghrebi.org
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