Oil pipeline resumes operations in Libya after blockade — Asharq Al-Awsat

Oil pumping has resumed in Libya through a pipeline linking the Sharara field in the country’s southwest to the Zawiya export terminal on the Mediterranean coast. Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) reported the reopening of the seventh valve, which had been shut by an armed group for several days.

Production decline

According to Asharq Al-Awsat, an armed group shut the valve on Monday. According to the NOC, this caused a sharp drop in oil production. The corporation estimated the cost of the disruptions at $95 million.

The NOC did not specify which group was responsible for blocking the infrastructure or what demands it had made. After the valve was reopened, crude oil transportation through the pipeline resumed.

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Pipeline operator

The pipeline is operated by Akakus, a joint venture of the NOC, Spain’s Repsol, France’s TotalEnergies, Austria’s OMV and Norway’s Equinor.

Blockades of oil and gas infrastructure facilities in Libya have occurred repeatedly in recent years. As the publication notes, the reasons for such actions have included social grievances, security threats or political disputes.