Exploded Projectiles Found at Libya’s Sharara Oil Pipeline After Blast
Exploded projectiles were recovered at Libya’s Sharara oil pipeline following a blast that disrupted flows and forced production shutdowns at nearby fields.
(Reuters) — Libya's security authorities on March 24 recovered two exploded projectiles from a damaged crude oil pipeline of Sharara oilfield, said the Tripoli-based interior ministry in a statement.
The ministry said in the statement the two exploded projectiles are an M-62 Russian-made missile weighing approximately 250 kg and remnants of a 130 mm rocket.
Last week, after a fire broke out at the pipeline, the state oil company National Oil Corporation redirected the flow from the Sharara oilfield via the El Feel pipeline to Mellitah port and through the Hamada pipeline to storage tanks in Zawiya.
Pictures were posted by the ministry on its verified Facebook page showing the remnants of the exploded projectiles on a ground and near what appeared to be a damaged pipeline.
"The projectiles were handled according to approved technical and security procedures, the site was fully secured, and the necessary measures were taken to ensure the safety of the area and prevent any potential risks," the ministry said.
The incident has forced the El Feel oilfield to a full shutdown since March 19, according to two engineers.
One of the engineers said production at El Feel is expected to resume in a week to 10 days.
Libyan oil output has been subject to repeated closures for various political and technical reasons since the 2011 uprising against Muammar Gaddafi.
Sharara is one of Libya's largest oil production areas with a capacity of between 300,000 and 320,000 bpd. The field is linked to the country's 120,000 bpd Zawiya refinery about 40 km (25 miles) west of capital Tripoli.
The field is operated by a joint venture of NOC, via Acacus Oil Company, with Repsol, TotalEnergies, OMV and Equinor.
El Feel, which has a capacity of between 80,000 and 90,000 bpd under normal circumstances, is operated by Mellitah Oil and Gas, a joint venture between NOC and Italy's Eni.