A Libya crude oil pipeline, belonging to the al-Waha oil company and running to Sidra port, was attacked and set on fire by an unknown “terrorist group,” causing the loss of up to 100,000 barrels per day, state company NOC said.
The National Oil Corporation confirmed the incident, without specifying its cause. Local sources, meanwhile, said that the pipeline was attacked by a “terrorist group.”
READ MORE: Disaster looms over Libyan oil
“An explosion and fire broke out as a result of a terrorist act in one of the valves on the 24-inch crude oil pipeline northwest of the town of Mrada, some 500km east of Tripoli,” the petroleum installations guards said earlier, as cited by Xinhua.
NOC confirms that a fire broke out on April 21 2018 along the El-Zkout – Es Sider oil pipeline of the Waha Oil Company (WOC), connecting the fields to the Es Sider oil terminal. Initial investigations indicate that the fire occurred 117km from Zkout & 21km from North West Marada.
— National Oil Corporation المؤسسة الوطنية للنفط (@NOC_Libya) April 21, 2018
“The bombing targeted the same pipeline that was bombed last year, while some maintenance operations were being carried out by the company,” it added.
A pipeline carrying crude oil from Waha oil field to Sidra oil port was destroyed by vandals on Saturday evening, sources say pic.twitter.com/qDINvBEirM
— The Libya Observer (@Lyobserver) April 21, 2018
In a Twitter post, NOC estimated the loss at between 70,000 and 100,000 bpd and said its firefighters are working at the scene.
Investigations into the incident are ongoing. There are no reported causalties at the site. The NOC Executive Board is closely monitoring developments & liasing with appropriate authorities to put out the fire and resume production as soon as possible.
— National Oil Corporation المؤسسة الوطنية للنفط (@NOC_Libya) April 21, 2018
Back in December 2017, the Waha-owned pipeline was attacked and crippled in roughly the same area. It took more than a week to repair and caused an estimated loss of over $10 million.
The NOC fire service are on site, assessing the situation & dealing with the fire. Initial reports indicate that the fire occurred in isolation valve number three. NOC expects a loss of production between 70-100,000 barrels a day.
— National Oil Corporation المؤسسة الوطنية للنفط (@NOC_Libya) April 21, 2018
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