Armed Group Cuts Off Libya's Al-Sharara Pipeline, Threatens Production
Libya's oil production has taken a hit after an unnamed armed group shut a valve on a pipeline from the Al-Sharara field, a key source of crude for Libya. The National Oil Corporation (NOC) reported that the closure affected a pipeline linking the Al-Sharara field to the coastal city of Zawiya.
The disruption threatens production from the Al-Sharara field, which is located 900 kilometers south of Tripoli. If the shutdown continues, the NOC could be compelled to declare force majeure, a legal provision that allows suppliers to suspend contractual obligations due to circumstances beyond their control.
The closure caused a pressure buildup within the crude oil pipeline, leading to a significant reduction in production at the Sharara field. The NOC warned that if the disruption continues, it could be forced to shut down the Zawiya refinery, which is about 45 kilometers west of Tripoli.