The National Oil Corporation (NOC) reported today that an armed group has closed a valve on the main Al-Hamada crude oil pipeline—located in the Al-Rayayna area—which connects the Al-Hamada field to the Zawia refinery.
The NOC said this 18-inch diameter pipeline is a critical conduit for supplying the refinery with the crude oil necessary for its refining operations. It links the Al-Hamada fields (MN-8 and MN-5) and the Al-Tahara field (MN-4) to the Zawia refinery.
It explained that the sudden, forced closure of the valve caused a sharp spike in operating pressure, compelling technical teams to halt pumping operations through the line as of 12:30 AM last night to ensure the integrity of the pipeline and production facilities. Consequently, crude oil supplies from the connected fields have been disrupted.
The NOC warned of the consequences of this continued closure, which will inevitably result in the loss of approximately 15,000 barrels per day of crude oil intended for the Zawia refinery.
The impact extends beyond the disruption of production and the loss of crude oil volumes; it poses a direct threat to the safety of oil infrastructure and the continuity of crude supplies to the refinery, with subsequent negative repercussions for the national economy.
While reiterating its strong condemnation of these violations and direct attacks, the NOC called upon the competent authorities—foremost among them the Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG)—to fulfil their mandated responsibilities and legal duties.
This includes taking the necessary measures to secure transport pipelines, reopen the valve, and resume pumping operations as soon as possible. The NOC further emphasizes the imperative of protecting oil facilities and transport pipelines from any assaults that threaten the stability of production and the resources of the Libyan people.
