• Authorities are probing a leak on a pipeline linked to the Al-Sharara field

• The fire was contained with no casualties and production remains stable

• Al-Sharara remains central to Libya’s plan to boost oil output

A fire on a pipeline connected to Libya’s Al-Sharara oil field has triggered an investigation into the cause of a leak, with authorities examining whether it resulted from a technical fault, negligence, or sabotage.

The incident occurred at a valve in the Al-Hamada region, at kilometer 538 along the pipeline, according to local media reports on March 18. The blaze was brought under control by technical teams dispatched by the National Oil Corporation (NOC), which confirmed that no casualties were reported.

Security and maintenance teams were deployed to secure the site and assess the damage.

Despite the incident, production at the Al-Sharara field has remained stable. The NOC said it redirected crude flows through alternative infrastructure, including pipelines linking the Al-Feel field to the Mellitah terminal, as well as to storage facilities in Zawiya on Libya’s Mediterranean coast.

The investigation is expected to determine whether the fire was caused by infrastructure failure, human error, or deliberate action.

With a production capacity of about 300,000 barrels per day, Al-Sharara is Libya’s largest oil field and a cornerstone of its output strategy. Authorities are relying on the site to help reach a medium-term production target of 2 million barrels per day, according to official statements.

Libya’s oil output averaged between 1.3 million and 1.4 million barrels per day in 2025, supported by the restart of major fields and efforts to optimize existing capacity.

In this context, Al-Sharara remains a priority asset for both the government and its international partners as they seek to expand production.

Abdel-Latif Boureima