Zawiya refinery halts after force majeure, cutting Libya product output

On 16 December 2024 Libya’s Zawiya Refinery declared force majeure and “came to a standstill,” suspending refining activity at one of the country’s largest plants. The shutdown removes a material domestic product source and risks near-term NOC revenue and export scheduling while tightening regional refined-product flows.

The halt at Zawiya reduces Libya’s domestic refined-product availability and could force extra product imports, raising FX demand and near-term import bills. For the sovereign, lower NOC receipts and delayed exports can pressure external liquidity and sovereign spreads if prolonged. Regionally, decreased Libyan refining output tightens North African product markets and could shift trade flows until the unit restarts.

NOC statement on restart timing or formal lift of force majeure; updates from ports/operators on export scheduling.