Libya’s Largest Refinery Resumes Operations After Armed Clashes Trigger Temporary Shutdown
Libya’s largest operating refinery in Zawiya has resumed operations after armed clashes near the facility forced a two-day shutdown, raising concerns over the security of the country’s critical energy infrastructure.
The refinery, located about 40 kilometres west of Tripoli, suspended operations on Friday after fighting spread into nearby areas.
National Oil Corporation confirmed that heavy artillery shells landed inside the refinery complex, although no major structural damage was initially reported.
Az Zawiya Oil Refining Company said the facility was fully shut down as a precautionary measure and all tankers were cleared from the port after shells struck parts of the site.
The clashes reportedly occurred during a security operation led by the Joint Security Room, which coordinates armed and security units across the Tripoli region. Authorities said the operation targeted wanted individuals in Zawiya, though no groups were officially identified.
Despite the temporary shutdown, the National Oil Corporation said fuel supplies to Tripoli and surrounding areas continued without interruption.
The Zawiya refinery processes around 120,000 barrels of oil per day and is directly linked to Libya’s Al Sharara oil field, the country’s largest producing field with output estimated at roughly 300,000 barrels per day. The refinery is considered a key fuel supply hub for western Libya.
The facility has experienced repeated disruptions linked to Libya’s ongoing security instability. In late 2024, armed clashes triggered fires in storage tanks after gunfire struck the refinery, prompting the declaration of force majeure. Additional disruptions were also reported in 2025.
Al Sharara oil field has similarly faced periodic shutdowns due to protests and security incidents in recent years, affecting Libya’s broader oil production.
Following the latest incident, Az Zawiya Oil Refining Company called on authorities to strengthen protection around strategic infrastructure to prevent future disruptions that could threaten refinery operations, workers, and nearby communities.
Oil exports account for more than 95% of Libya’s export revenues and remain the country’s primary source of public income, making disruptions to production and refining operations economically significant.
