Technical teams have begun inspecting Libya’s Zawiya refinery following a fire that erupted in several of its reservoirs on Sunday.
Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) declared force majeure after the fire severely damaged the reservoirs, which the NOC attributed to ongoing clashes between armed groups near the refinery.
However, NOC spokesperson Khaled Abulgasem Gulam expressed cautious optimism on Monday, stating that “things are very reassuring” and that the region remains calm. He noted that, despite the damage, there is a high likelihood of the refinery resuming operations soon.
Once the inspection is completed, the NOC will evaluate the security situation before making a decision on lifting the force majeure, according to Gulam. He also confirmed that Zawiya’s oil port is operating as usual.
Located 40 km (25 miles) west of Tripoli, the Zawiya refinery is Libya’s largest operational refinery, with a capacity of 120,000 barrels per day. It is connected to the Sharara oilfield, which produces 300,000 barrels per day.