Libya reopens Hamada–Zawiya oil pipeline after disruption

Libya has reopened the Hamada–Zawiya oil pipeline following a production disruption caused by individuals closing a valve at a receiving station. The National Oil Corporation (NOC) confirmed the reopening on Saturday, October 24. The incident had previously forced production cuts at the Hamada and Tahara oilfields, which supply crude to a station near the Zawiya refinery.

The disruption highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in Libya’s oil infrastructure, where security and political disputes can quickly impact export earnings and government revenue. While the pipeline is back in operation, the NOC has not yet provided a specific timeline for the full recovery of production levels.

This incident occurs amid broader discussions regarding Libya’s energy expansion. The country is pursuing significant investments, such as a $20 billion agreement involving the NOC, TotalEnergies, and ConocoPhillips to develop the Waha oil concessions. These long-term plans aim to increase production capacity to 850,000 barrels per day, a goal that requires substantial upgrades to gathering systems, pipelines, and export infrastructure.