On Sunday, July 7, Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced the imposition of force majeure at the largest oilfield in the country, Al-Sharara, due to protesters causing a production shutdown.
Last Wednesday, a group of protesters shut down oil production at the oilfield, calling on authorities to address the fuel shortage in the country’s southern region of Fezzan, among other demands.
The shutdown of Al-Sharara has not affected the El Feel oilfield, which is located near Sharara, according to press reports.
Crude oil shipments to the port of Zawiya, some 49 km (30.4 miles) west of Tripoli, have been halted as a result of the closure, the NOC said in a statement.
“Negotiations are currently ongoing in an attempt to resume production as soon as possible,” said NOC.
Last Friday, Minister of Local Governance of the Government of National Unity, Badr El Din Al-Toumi, met with the mayors of the municipalities of Libya’s southern region to discuss the closure of Al-Sharara and the protesters’ demands.
The strategic oilfield has been the target of numerous shutdowns by both protesters and armed groups in recent years.
The closure is causing concerns both domestically and internationally amid global market turbulence. Libya’s oil ministry has issued a warning to partners, stating that they might exit if oilfields continue to be shuttered, putting electricity generation at risk.
