On 27 July, protestors blockaded the Mellitah Complex and tried to prevent staff from entering the facility.
On 28 July, early in the morning, protestors stormed the Mellitah Complex and shut off the gas valves. In a statement, the General Electricity Company of Libya (GECOL) confirmed that groups have entered the Mellitah Complex and shut down the gas supply lines feeding power generation plants. It said this action threatens to take several generation units out of service and increases the risk of a total grid blackout. It emphasized that the situation is critical; the continued drop in gas pressure could lead to the sequential shutdown of generation units, potentially resulting in a total grid collapse and a complete blackout, unless urgent measures are taken to restore gas flow and resume supply to the power plants. GECOL added that it ‘disclaims responsibility before the Libyan people and official authorities for any consequences arising from the continued disruption of the gas supplies required to operate generation units.’
A statement from the Mellitah Oil and Gas Workers’ Union said this attack was not limited to damaging vital technical facilities, but was accompanied by the use of violent methods, posing a direct threat to the safety of employees and workers. The workers demanded that the competent authorities provide immediate and ongoing security protection for the Mellitah complex and all its facilities.
The Government of National Unity (GNU) said that in response to the shutdown of Mellitah’s gas valves, PM Abdul Hameed Dabaiba had issued immediate directives to the Ministry of Defence and the General Staff to urgently establish full control over the Mellitah Complex, secure the site, reopen the gas lines, and resume supply to the power plants without delay. It stressed that ‘any attempt to disrupt, halt, or obstruct the operation of these facilities—or to hinder their personnel—will be met with decisive state action in accordance with the law.’ The GNU also asserted that it will not allow demands or circumstances to be exploited to advance agendas aimed at destabilizing the country or precipitating artificial crises that affect citizens’ safety and daily lives.
The National Oil Corporation (NOC) said it is monitoring the situation with ‘grave concern’. It noted that the Mellitah Complex is the primary source of gas supplies for the coastal pipeline. These developments have led to a complete halt in production at the El Feel field and a partial shutdown of operations at the Wafa field. This has caused a severe shortage of the gas and fuel required to operate power plants, resulting in several generation units going offline. It emphasized that the safety of personnel and the continuity of operations are top priorities. It affirmed its right to declare ‘force majeure’ should these conditions persist and the resumption of operations remain impossible, while continuing to closely monitor the situation and take necessary measures to ensure worker safety and restore production as quickly as possible.
A few hours later, GNU forces secured Mellitah and it resumed operations.
At 11.46 local time, the GNU confirmed that forces from the Ministry of Defence and the General Staff—acting under the directive of PM Dabaiba —have successfully secured the Mellitah Oil and Gas Industrial Complex. It said this action ensures the safety of personnel and allows for the resumption of gas supplies to power generation plants, paving the way for the gradual restoration of electricity and the stabilization of the national grid.
At 13.00 local time, the NOC announced that it had authorized the resumption of gas production and the restoration of normal gas pumping operations. It said this follows the GNU’s action to fully secure the complex and ensure an environment conducive to the workforce resuming normal operations, thereby enabling the restart of the El Feel and Al Wafa fields and the Sabratha platform. GECOL also confirmed the gradual return of the electricity network due to the return of gas supplies from Mellitah.