Libya: Zawiya Refinery Shut Down After Violent Clashes

The Zawiya refinery, essential for fuel supply in Libya, has suspended its activities after armed clashes caused significant fires and sparked a local crisis.

Share:

Comprehensive energy news coverage, updated nonstop

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access • Archives included • Professional invoice

OTHER ACCESS OPTIONS

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

FREE ACCOUNT

3 articles offered per month

FREE

*Prices are excluding VAT, which may vary depending on your location or professional status

Since 2021: 35,000 articles • 150+ analyses per week

Libya has experienced a new wave of violence in the Zawiya region, located 45 kilometers west of Tripoli, leading to the shutdown of one of its major refineries. Early Sunday, armed clashes erupted near the facility, causing significant damage and fires to several infrastructures.

Built in 1974, the Zawiya refinery is vital for the country. With a refining capacity exceeding 120,000 barrels per day, it is the only infrastructure in western Libya supplying the local market with fuel. In addition to its refining activities, it serves as a port terminal for the import and export of petroleum products.

A State of Force Majeure Declared

In a statement issued by the National Oil Corporation (NOC), the suspension of production was confirmed, along with the declaration of a state of force majeure, an exceptional measure that allows the suspension of contractual obligations in cases of force majeure. NOC spokesperson Khaled Ghulam clarified on Libya al-Ahrar television that the fires caused by heavy weapons were brought under control thanks to the intervention of civil defense teams.

Local sources report a provisional toll of one death and ten injuries among the combatants. However, these figures have not yet been officially confirmed by the authorities.

Impact on the Population and Transportation

The clashes also paralyzed educational and economic activities in the region. According to the Libyan news agency Lana, all schools and universities in Zawiya have suspended classes. The coastal road linking Zawiya to Tripoli was temporarily closed before reopening in the morning.

Despite the disruptions, the NOC assures that fuel supply remains stable. “The distribution of gasoline to service stations continues uninterrupted thanks to the reservoirs of Brega Oil,” the spokesperson reassured.

A Persistent Context of Chaos

Since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi’s regime in 2011, Libya has faced chronic instability marked by rivalries between two competing governments. Zawiya, the third-largest city in Tripolitania after Tripoli and Misrata, is often the scene of violence between armed factions. These recurring clashes, sometimes motivated by social or political demands, further weaken the country’s vital infrastructure.

Despite these challenges, Libyan oil production recently reached 1.4 million barrels per day, a significant increase compared to recent years. However, this incident risks disrupting the national energy sector’s ambitions once again.

A report highlights the financial burden of fossil imports during the energy crisis and points to electrification as key to European energy security.
Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu announced a review of public funding for renewable energy, without changing national targets, to avoid rent-seeking effects and better regulate the use of public funds.
The 2025 edition of the Renewable Electricity System Observatory warns of the widening gap between French energy ambitions and industrial reality, requiring immediate acceleration of investments in solar, wind and associated infrastructure.
Kogi State Electricity Distribution Limited reported a ₦1.3bn ($882,011) loss due to power fraud, threatening its operational viability in Kogi State.
More than 40 developers will gather in Livingstone from 26 to 28 November to turn Southern Africa’s energy commitments into bankable and interconnected projects.
Citepa projections confirm a marked slowdown in France's climate trajectory, with emissions reductions well below targets set in the national low-carbon strategy.
The United States has threatened economic sanctions against International Maritime Organization members who approve a global carbon tax on international shipping emissions.
Global progress on electricity access slowed in 2024, with only 11 million new connections, despite targeted efforts in parts of Africa and Asia.
A parliamentary report questions the 2026 electricity pricing reform, warning of increased market exposure for households and a redistribution mechanism lacking clarity.
The US Senate has confirmed two new commissioners to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission, creating a Republican majority that could reshape the regulatory approach to national energy infrastructure.
The federal government launches a CAD3mn call for proposals to fund Indigenous participation in energy and infrastructure projects related to critical minerals.
Opportunities are emerging for African countries to move from extraction to industrial manufacturing in energy technology value chains, as the 2025 G20 discussions highlight these issues.
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), global renewable power capacity could more than double by 2030, driven by the rise of solar photovoltaics despite supply chain pressures and evolving policy frameworks.
Algeria plans to allocate $60 billion to energy projects by 2029, primarily targeting upstream oil and gas, while developing petrochemicals, renewables and unconventional resources.
China set a record for clean technology exports in August, driven by surging sales of electric vehicles and batteries, with more than half of the growth coming from non-OECD markets.
A night-time attack on Belgorod’s power grid left thousands without electricity, according to Russian local authorities, despite partial service restoration the following morning.
The French Academy of Sciences calls for a global ban on solar radiation modification, citing major risks to climate stability and the world economy.
The halt of US federal services disrupts the entire decision-making chain for energy and mining projects, with growing risks of administrative delays and missing critical data.
Facing a potential federal government shutdown, multiple US energy agencies are preparing to suspend services and furlough thousands of employees.
A report reveals the economic impact of renewable energy losses in Chile, indicating that a 1% drop in curtailments could generate $15mn in annual savings.

All the latest energy news, all the time

Annual subscription

8.25$/month*

*billed annually at 99$/year for the first year then 149,00$/year ​

Unlimited access - Archives included - Pro invoice

Monthly subscription

Unlimited access • Archives included

5.2$/month*
then 14.90$ per month thereafter

*Prices shown are exclusive of VAT, which may vary according to your location or professional status.

Since 2021: 30,000 articles - +150 analyses/week.