A massive fire has erupted at the Zawiya refinery in Libya, marking a significant incident impacting the country’s largest oil production facility. The fire, which began following a series of drone attacks, has rapidly spread, with firefighters battling the blaze for hours. The nation’s national oil company, the National Oil Corporation (NOC), has issued a warning of a potential force majeure situation, potentially halting operations if the attacks continue.
The fire broke out on Monday evening at tank number 402-T, belonging to Brega Oil Company, a key component of the refinery’s operations. Initial reports suggest the tank contained approximately 4.5 million liters of gasoline, which was subsequently completely collapsed by the intense flames. Footage verified by Al Jazeera shows substantial flames and thick black smoke billowing over the facility, the largest operating refinery in Libya with a refining capacity of 120,000 barrels per day.
It is located about 40km (25 miles) west of Tripoli, the capital city. The NOC issued a ‘maximum emergency’ declaration, urging authorities to investigate the attacks and bring those responsible to justice. The attack follows a series of incidents involving drone strikes on a water desalination plant in the Tripoli region and a naphtha reservoir on Saturday. The company declared a ‘maximum emergency’ and urged all parties to avoid contact with oil facilities and depots. The Brega Oil Company has appealed to all parties to stop fighting and stay away from oil facilities and depots, emphasizing the vital importance of protecting these facilities as a national responsibility.
In a separate statement, the NOC confirmed that the refinery is still under attack with a drone targeting an oil blending and filling plant operated by the Zawiya Oil Refining Company. The drone fell near its main oil tank and a pipeline network, without causing any casualties or damage. The company’s board of directors stated that if these attacks continue, it will have to declare a state of force majeure and suspend operations at the refinery.
The attacks highlight ongoing security challenges in Libya, where rival administrations and armed groups have retained influence despite a 2020 ceasefire that halted major warfare. The country is currently divided into two governments: the United Nations-recognized Tripoli administration, led by Prime Minister Abdul Hamid Dbeibah, and a rival in the east backed by military commander Khalifa Haftar. The Tripoli-based government stated that Dbeibah held a meeting earlier in the day with key officials, including the interior minister and chiefs of some armed groups in the capital, to follow up on the latest security developments.
The House of Representatives’ Energy and Natural Resources Committee condemned the attack and called for stronger protection of oil installations. The statement said, ‘The House of Representatives’ Energy and Natural Resources Committee condemns in the strongest terms the criminal attack targeting the Zawiya Refinery, one of the most vital facilities in the oil and gas sector that is a cornerstone of the national economy,’ further emphasizing the critical role of the refinery for Libya’s economic stability.
Source: Al Jazeera
