Libya suspends production operations at 3 oil sites following closure of major pipeline

Libya’s National Oil Corporation announced Tuesday that production and operations at three oil sites were suspended after members of the Petroleum Facilities Guards closed the valve on the Al-Hamada–Zawiya shipping pipeline in western Libya, Anadolu reports.

The Petroleum Facilities Guard is a state-affiliated security force tasked with protecting Libya’s critical energy infrastructure.

In a statement, Libya’s National Oil Corporation said the closure caused a sudden increase in pressure along the production lines, resulting in the suspension of operations at the three sites.

The corporation warned that it could be forced to declare “force majeure” if the valve remains closed or if other fields face similar shutdowns.

Prolonged field closures would hurt the national economy and threaten the state’s ability to meet its financial obligations, the corporation also warned.