popular articles

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.

Please share:

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.

Register free of charge for uninterrupted access.

Publicite

Recently published in

France’s Ministry of Industry and Energy postpones the 2025 energy voucher to November, citing delayed budget approval and announcing revised allocation rules.
France’s decarbonisation pace slowed significantly in 2024, according to Citepa, putting its 2030 climate targets at risk.
France’s decarbonisation pace slowed significantly in 2024, according to Citepa, putting its 2030 climate targets at risk.
Luc Rémont was dismissed as head of EDF by the French executive due to disagreements over industrial contract strategy and financing of the EPR2 nuclear programme.
Luc Rémont was dismissed as head of EDF by the French executive due to disagreements over industrial contract strategy and financing of the EPR2 nuclear programme.
Just Stop Oil will end its high-profile actions after one of its core demands was integrated into the British government's energy policy.
Just Stop Oil will end its high-profile actions after one of its core demands was integrated into the British government's energy policy.
The surge in solar production and the slow upgrade of electricity infrastructure are blocking thousands of projects in the Netherlands, affecting energy security and consumer costs.
The development of French power grids is facing a structural shortage of skilled labour, despite €200bn in projected investments by 2040.
The development of French power grids is facing a structural shortage of skilled labour, despite €200bn in projected investments by 2040.
Luc Rémont's departure exposes ongoing disagreements between EDF and the French State over electricity pricing for industry and the financing terms of the nuclear programme.
Luc Rémont's departure exposes ongoing disagreements between EDF and the French State over electricity pricing for industry and the financing terms of the nuclear programme.
The European Investment Bank approves a final tranche of PLN1.7bn for Orlen to modernise electricity distribution infrastructure in Poland via its subsidiary Energa Operator.
The European Investment Bank approves a final tranche of PLN1.7bn for Orlen to modernise electricity distribution infrastructure in Poland via its subsidiary Energa Operator.
Luc Rémont is replaced as head of EDF as French manufacturers criticise a pricing strategy seen as incompatible with national industrial competitiveness.
Luc Rémont will not be reappointed as Chairman of Électricité de France, two years after his nomination, despite record profits in 2024 and the revival of the nuclear fleet.
Luc Rémont will not be reappointed as Chairman of Électricité de France, two years after his nomination, despite record profits in 2024 and the revival of the nuclear fleet.
The French government has appointed Bernard Fontana to lead EDF, relying on his experience in nuclear energy and energy-intensive industries, amid strategic restructuring and rising tariff pressures.
The French government has appointed Bernard Fontana to lead EDF, relying on his experience in nuclear energy and energy-intensive industries, amid strategic restructuring and rising tariff pressures.
Kazakhmys, the leading copper producer in Kazakhstan, partially suspends its operations after the death of eight workers. The company is conducting an inspection of its facilities to ensure operational safety.
Kazakhmys, the leading copper producer in Kazakhstan, partially suspends its operations after the death of eight workers. The company is conducting an inspection of its facilities to ensure operational safety.
The European Southern Observatory (ESO) warns of the potentially devastating consequences of a power plant project near its telescopes in the Atacama Desert, highlighting irreversible light pollution.
The recent elections in Greenland resulted in a victory for the Demokraatit party, which advocates gradual independence from Denmark and increased support for the exploitation of natural resources, prioritizing the mining and energy sectors. This election comes amid heightened international tensions, notably due to proposals by Donald Trump to annex the territory.
The recent elections in Greenland resulted in a victory for the Demokraatit party, which advocates gradual independence from Denmark and increased support for the exploitation of natural resources, prioritizing the mining and energy sectors. This election comes amid heightened international tensions, notably due to proposals by Donald Trump to annex the territory.
In January 2025, Italy recorded a trade deficit of €264 million, largely attributed to the rising energy costs, according to the National Institute of Statistics (Istat).
In January 2025, Italy recorded a trade deficit of €264 million, largely attributed to the rising energy costs, according to the National Institute of Statistics (Istat).
The National Federation of Mines and Energy of the General Confederation of Labour (FNME-CGT) has elected Fabrice Coudour as secretary general. He succeeds Sébastien Ménesplier and inherits strategic issues, including the opening of hydropower concessions to competition.
The National Federation of Mines and Energy of the General Confederation of Labour (FNME-CGT) has elected Fabrice Coudour as secretary general. He succeeds Sébastien Ménesplier and inherits strategic issues, including the opening of hydropower concessions to competition.
Nigerien authorities have ordered the expulsion of three Chinese executives from oil companies and shut down a hotel owned by a Chinese company. This decision is part of a policy aimed at strengthening national control over the country’s energy resources.
The French government has issued a decree expanding the use of treated wastewater to industrial and nuclear sectors, aiming to reduce pressure on water resources.
The French government has issued a decree expanding the use of treated wastewater to industrial and nuclear sectors, aiming to reduce pressure on water resources.
An incident in a private power plant caused a nationwide blackout in Panama on Saturday night. The national power grid was severely impacted, leading to an interruption in the potable water supply. Authorities are investigating the causes of the event.
An incident in a private power plant caused a nationwide blackout in Panama on Saturday night. The national power grid was severely impacted, leading to an interruption in the potable water supply. Authorities are investigating the causes of the event.
UK greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 3.6% in 2024, marking a slowdown in the pace of reduction. The end of coal usage in electricity production and the rise in electric vehicles contributed to this trend.
UK greenhouse gas emissions decreased by 3.6% in 2024, marking a slowdown in the pace of reduction. The end of coal usage in electricity production and the rise in electric vehicles contributed to this trend.
More than 160 senators from the right and centre have urged François Bayrou to suspend the publication of the third Multi-Year Energy Programme (PPE 3), criticizing its lack of a comprehensive vision and calling for greater parliamentary involvement in defining the energy mix.
With several mining projects recently funded, Brazil is strengthening its national strategy to exploit its rare earth reserves, amid sharply declining global prices and geopolitical tensions in this strategic market.
With several mining projects recently funded, Brazil is strengthening its national strategy to exploit its rare earth reserves, amid sharply declining global prices and geopolitical tensions in this strategic market.
The Canada Energy Regulator has approved, with modifications, the cost allocation methodology for friction reducers on the Keystone Canada pipeline system. South Bow GP (Canada) Ltd. will need to recalculate the tolls for 2020 and 2021 before final validation.
The Canada Energy Regulator has approved, with modifications, the cost allocation methodology for friction reducers on the Keystone Canada pipeline system. South Bow GP (Canada) Ltd. will need to recalculate the tolls for 2020 and 2021 before final validation.
Nuclear energy emerges as a key election issue in Australia, as accelerating gas dependency intensifies amid coal plant closures, raising critical concerns about grid stability and energy pricing ahead of the 2025 federal elections.
Nuclear energy emerges as a key election issue in Australia, as accelerating gas dependency intensifies amid coal plant closures, raising critical concerns about grid stability and energy pricing ahead of the 2025 federal elections.

Advertising