Production Halted at Three Libyan Oil Fields Following Forced Closure of a Main Valve

Al-Taj News – Libya’s National Oil Corporation said on Tuesday that production at three oil fields had been halted after a group of facility guards forcibly and illegally shut a main transportation pipeline valve.

The corporation did not state the motive behind the action, warning that it may have to declare “force majeure if the closure of this valve continues, or if any of the other fields are subjected to a similar forced shutdown.”

The statement added that the valve closure resulted in “a sudden increase in pressure at the Al-Tahara field point in the production lines,” which led to “the complete suspension of production and operations at the Al-Hamada Field (NC8), Al-Tahara Field (NC4), and Station (NC5).”

It added that “the closure of the oil fields and the suspension of production operations at this sensitive time, when the world is witnessing a rise in crude oil prices, constitutes a devastating blow to the national economy.”

Previously, the Petroleum Facilities Guard, tasked with maintaining the safety of oil fields and pipelines in Libya, had called for the forced closure of fields and ports or the imposition of blockades on them, with the aim of pressuring official parties to meet a series of labor, financial, and logistical demands.

The agency has not yet issued any comment on the latest incident.

The National Oil Corporation called on “the responsible state authorities to assume their full responsibilities and take action to resolve this crisis and put an end to its causes.”