Libya’s Zawiya refinery resumes full operations | News
Libya’s Largest Oil Refinery Resumes Operations After Brief Closure
ZAWIYA, Libya — Libya’s largest functioning oil refinery has resumed full operations following a two-day shutdown triggered by nearby fighting. The Azzawiya Oil Refining Company confirmed the resumption in a statement released Sunday.
The refinery, located approximately 40 kilometers (25 miles) west of Tripoli, was forced to halt operations on Friday due to intense fighting that prompted an emergency declaration. Heavy shelling impacted multiple areas within the facility, leading to the evacuation of tankers from the port.
Despite the conflict, the National Oil Corporation (NOC) reported that there was no significant damage to the refinery. However, the NOC noted that the violence had spread to residential areas near the facility, raising concerns about safety.
While the fighting intensified, the NOC assured that fuel supplies to Tripoli and its environs remained unaffected. Local authorities in Zawiya described the situation as a “security operation against outlaws.”
Libya has experienced ongoing unrest since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The city of Zawiya has been a hotspot for conflict, with previous skirmishes occasionally disrupting the coastal route to the Tunisian border. Unverified footage circulating on social media has shown scenes of gunfire within the city.
The refinery has a processing capacity of 120,000 barrels per day and is connected to the Sharara oilfield, which has a production capacity of 300,000 barrels per day.
