Libya's National Oil Corporation said on Sept. 25, 2026, that direct financial losses resulting from the shutdown of the main crude transport pipeline between Sharara and Zawiya had exceeded $75 million through Sept. 24, after cumulative output losses at the Sharara field reached 720,362 barrels over four days.
Crude supplies to refinery decline
The corporation attributed the losses to the continued closure of valve No. (7) on the main Sharara-Zawiya crude transport pipeline, operated by Akakus Oil Operations, which led to a decline in Sharara field output and increased losses of crude allocated to supply the Zawiya refinery.
Output losses stood at 129,085 barrels on Sept. 21, before rising to 259,349 barrels on Sept. 22. They then reached 235,983 barrels on Sept. 23 and 237,937 barrels on Sept. 24.
Warning of refining-unit shutdowns
The corporation warned that continued closure of the pipeline could prompt refining units at the Zawiya refinery to shut down one after another as its reserve crude stocks in storage tanks approach depletion. This could disrupt petroleum-product supplies and impose additional financial and technical burdens on Libya's economy.
