Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) is weighing a declaration of force majeure on exports from the Zawiya oil terminal following a series of precision drone strikes on the critical facility.
Operational Impact on Zawiya and Sharara
The Zawiya terminal serves as a vital export gateway with a daily capacity of 120,000 barrels. The facility is primarily supplied by the Sharara oil field—Libya’s largest—which boasts a production capacity of up to 300,000 barrels per day. Reuters reports that any formal declaration of force majeure would effectively halt these shipments, creating significant supply chain disruptions.
Damage Assessment and Fuel Shortage Risks
The recent drone strikes caused severe infrastructure damage, including the total destruction of a storage tank containing 4.5 million liters of gasoline, as well as strikes on an oil blending facility. These targeted attacks threaten to exacerbate existing local fuel shortages, further destabilizing the region’s energy supply.
A Pattern of Persistent Sabotage
This incident marks the third drone attack on the terminal in recent days. Over the weekend, a separate drone strike hit a naphtha tank at the Zawiya refinery, resulting in a leak that was successfully contained. While no group has claimed responsibility, Libya’s oil infrastructure remains a high-value target for factions vying for political leverage and control.
Long-term Production Goals Amidst Conflict
Despite the escalating security threats, the NOC maintains an ambitious roadmap to increase Libya’s national oil production from the current 1.4 million barrels per day to 2 million barrels daily by the early 2030s.
This growth strategy is bolstered by a recent $2 billion injection from the state budget. NOC chief executive Masoud Suleman confirmed that these funds will serve as an essential operating budget, stating that the period of chronic funding delays—which previously hindered operations and strained partner relations—has officially ended.
Revitalizing Industry Partnerships
Beyond current security challenges, the NOC is actively pursuing international collaboration. Last month, the corporation and Austrian energy firm OMV declared the Essar oil discovery commercially viable. As Africa’s second-largest oil producer, Libya continues to prioritize these strategic partnerships with global majors to revitalize its domestic industry.
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