A major oil refinery in western Libya was forced to shut down operations on Sunday after armed clashes near the facility caused significant damage and sparked fires in several storage tanks, according to the state oil company.
The National Oil Corporation (NOC) declared force majeure, citing “extensive damage to Zawiya refinery storage tanks from gunfire, which led to serious fires.”
Video footage circulating on social media showed large fires engulfing tanks at the Zawiya refinery, located around 45 kilometres (28 miles) west of Tripoli. Emergency crews managed to contain the blazes and gas leaks despite ongoing clashes, the NOC said.
Zawiya refinery, built in 1974, is Libya’s second-largest refinery, processing over 120,000 barrels per day (bpd) and is the sole supplier of fuel products to the local market.
NOC spokesman Khaled Ghulam assured residents of Zawiya and Tripoli that fuel supplies to distribution centres remain secure, and petrol deliveries to service stations will continue without disruption.
Local reports indicated one person dead and 10 injured in the clashes, though official confirmation of casualties remains pending. Authorities also closed schools and Zawiya University due to the fighting, while the coastal road linking Zawiya to Tripoli reopened after being blocked overnight.
The force majeure declaration, used in exceptional circumstances, exempts the NOC from meeting contractual oil delivery obligations.
Zawiya has experienced recurrent clashes between rival armed factions. In May, similar fighting resulted in one death and multiple injuries before tribal mediators brokered a truce.
Libya, home to Africa’s largest hydrocarbon reserves, has faced frequent disruptions in its oil sector due to political disputes and blockades. However, recent stability had seen production rise to 1.4 million bpd in early December, approaching pre-2011 uprising levels of 1.5–1.6 million bpd.
Sunday’s events underline the fragile security situation and its impact on Libya’s oil-dependent economy.
