The National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced that a fire broke out due to a leak in one of the valves along the crude oil export pipeline from the Sharara field at kilometer 538, near Bir Al-Marhan in the Al-Hamada area, confirming that no human casualties were recorded. In a statement published early Wednesday, the NOC said emergency, firefighting, safety, and maintenance teams had reached the site and began handling the incident professionally to contain it and address its causes. The NOC confirmed that production at the Sharara field remains ongoing, after gradually redirecting flows through the El Feel field pipeline to Mellitah port, while another portion was rerouted via the 18-inch Al-Hamada pipeline to Zawiya storage tanks, significantly reducing losses. The statement added that the NOC chairman and board members have been in continuous session since the incident to monitor developments, while relevant authorities have launched investigations to determine the cause of the leak.

Source: Libya Observer March 18, 2026 18:59 UTC