Oil-facility fires and leaks in Libya's conflict: Es Sider, Ras Lanuf, Zawiya

In late December 2014 a fire at the Es Sider terminal's storage tanks, reported after a rocket hit, destroyed 'up to 1.8 million barrels of crude', according to Al-Mabrook al-Buseif, the top oil official of the recognised government, who told Reuters that 'Total damage, including lost oil, is estimated at $213 million'. The fire was extinguished by 2 January 2015 (MarineLink, citing Reuters).

In January 2016 Reuters reported attacks on Es Sider and Ras Lanuf. National Oil Corporation (NOC) spokesman Mohamed al-Harari said that Islamic State militants set four tanks on fire at Ras Lanuf on 21 January 2016. About two weeks earlier, clashes with Petroleum Facilities Guards had left seven tanks fire-damaged and at least 18 guards dead; at least 1.3 million barrels were lost earlier, with up to 3 million barrels at risk, according to Reuters. The NOC described the smoke and fires as an 'environmental catastrophe' and blamed the guards' 'intransigence' for blocking a tanker loading. An Islamic State fighter named Es Sider and Ras Lanuf as targets in a Telegram video.

Between 14 and 17 June 2018 tanks 12 and 2 at Ras Lanuf were on fire during an attack announced by Ibrahim Jathran. The NOC said storage capacity fell from 950,000 to 550,000 barrels and called on Jathran to withdraw; it put the immediate production loss at 240,000 barrels a day, possibly 400,000 bpd, and said Jathran's earlier blockades had cost Libya tens of billions of dollars in export revenue. The Libyan National Army (LNA) accused the Benghazi Defence Brigades of taking part, the head of the Government of National Accord condemned the attack, and Jathran said he would hand the ports to the Government of National Accord and the NOC.

On 15 December 2024 the NOC stated that it 'regretfully declares a force majeure and level three (the highest) emergency' after clashes near the Zawiya refinery, where several tanks were 'significantly damaged' by gunfire from light and medium weapons; fires and gas leaks were brought under control. It said the situation put workers and the surrounding population at 'considerable and unpredictable risk', urged keeping oil facilities out of conflict and called on the Government of National Unity to intervene. The statement gave no tank counts or quantities.

On 24 May 2025 a pipeline leak south of Zawiya shut the pipeline feeding the refinery. The NOC posted a picture of 'a stream of leaked oil in the desert', flow from the Hamada fields was halted, and the NOC said arrangements were under way 'to recover the leaked oil and address any resulting environmental pollution'; cause and volume were not stated. On 9–11 August 2026 drone attacks hit the Zawiya oil complex; a tank holding about 4.5 million litres of gasoline collapsed after a fire. No group claimed the attacks, and Prime Minister Dbeibah said the strikes 'will not go unanswered' (Reuters via Al-Monitor).