Closure of a main valve halts production at three oil sites
LIBYA – The National Oil Corporation said production and operations had stopped completely at the Hamada field (NC8), the Al-Tahara field (NC4) and station NC5 after a group from the Petroleum Facilities Guard closed — in what the NOC described as an unlawful manner — the main Hamada–Al-Zawiya oil shipping-line valve on Tuesday morning.
Sudden Pressure Surge on Production Lines
The corporation said the valve closure caused a sudden rise in pressure at the Al-Tahara field point on the production lines, which led to the halt of operations at the three sites.
It condemned the actions, saying they harm the national economy, inflict serious damage on oil-field operators and deepen the crises facing Libya’s oil sector amid the impact of the global crisis.
Rejection of Threats to Shut North Hamada
The NOC rejected threats by those involved to shut the North Hamada field belonging to Nafusa company, or any other fields or wells in any area, under the pretext of sit-ins or demands intended to pressure it through such unlawful means.
It called on those behind the move to show restraint, protect the Libyan people’s assets and wealth, and pursue legal channels to advance any demands.
Warning of a Force Majeure Declaration
The National Oil Corporation said it may be forced to declare force majeure if the valve closure continues, or if any other fields face a similar forced shutdown.
It called on the relevant state authorities to assume their full responsibilities and act to resolve the crisis and end its causes.
Appeal to the Petroleum Facilities Guard
The corporation said shutting fields and stopping production at this sensitive time — amid a global rise in crude oil prices — dealt a severe blow to the national economy that no one belonging to this land, defended by previous generations for its people, would accept.
It appealed to specialised personnel in the Petroleum Facilities Guard, invoking a sense of national duty and belonging to the land, to act responsibly, show restraint, pursue lawful channels to claim their rights, and reject such actions — which, it said, were unworthy of those entrusted by the people to protect their wealth and assets — and not to meet that trust with failure.
Threat to Libya’s Reputation and State Obligations
The NOC warned that the action would harm Libya’s global reputation as a stable energy supplier and threaten the state’s ability to meet its obligations to pay employees’ salaries, given that oil revenues are the sole and principal source of funding for the state treasury.
