On 15 September, after the National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced the complete halting of production at three small fields in the Hamada region as a result of a Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) group shutting down a valve on the Hamada- Zawiyya pipeline, the Southwestern Branch of the PFG issued a video statement announcing the partial reduction in production from seven southern-western fields, including Al-Wafa, al-Feel and Sharara, for one-week if their demands are not met. In the statement, they highlighted that they want to be transferred ‘financially and administratively under the NOC’.
On 16 September, the NOC chairman Massoud Suleiman told Reuters that production had returned to ‘normal levels,’ and that he does not expect further closures. However, the NOC did not issue a formal statement on the ending of the blockade, and it is not clear if a deal was struck with the PFG. Two protestors told Reuters that would ‘discuss its demands’ with the NOC in Tripoli this week.
On the morning of 21 September, reports emerged that the pipeline carrying crude from Sharara oilfield (~300,000bpd) had been closed late the night before by the Southwestern (Zintani) PFG, reducing production at Sharara by around 130,000bpd.
Later on 21 September, the NOC issued a statement confirming that in the morning that day, ‘a military armed group closed valve number 7, which led to the shutdown of the crude oil pipeline from the Sharara field’ to Zawiyya port. This closure led to a rise in pressure on the crude oil pipeline, which resulted in a significant decrease in the production of the Sharara field. The NOC confirmed that it had communicated with the Southern Western PFG and asked them to perform their duties, but ‘these appeals have not yielded any results so far’. It added that the technical teams have not yet been able to reach the area of Valves 6 and 7.
The NOC stressed that the continuation of this closure will lead to the halt of production, transportation, and export operations of the Sharara field. This would directly harm the national economy by reducing state revenues—particularly given rising global oil prices—and expose the oil transport system and its facilities to technical and operational risks. Furthermore, it would force the shutdown of the Zawiyya Oil Refinery, thereby increasing the cost of importing fuel from abroad.
The NOC called upon those responsible for the closure to exercise reason and wisdom, prioritize the national interest over narrow agendas, and reopen the pipeline immediately. It also called on the relevant authorities to assume their responsibilities regarding the security and protection of oil sites, keeping them free from protests, demonstrations, or similar activities. Finally, the NOC warned it may be forced to declare force majeure if this shutdown continues.
On 22 September, at around 2pm UK time, the NOC said that this morning, a group of personnel from the PFG had blocked the gates of the Zawiyya Oil Refining Company (Zawiya Refinery) and the Brega Petroleum Marketing Company. This action prevented employees and technicians from entering and blocked the relief of night-shift crews responsible for managing operations. Although the gate to the Brega Company was subsequently partially reopened, the main gate to the Zawiyya Refinery remains closed.
The NOC stressed that this blockade coincides ‘with the ongoing closure of Valve No. 7 in the Hamada area—located on the Sharara crude oil pipeline—by a group of PFG personnel from the southwest region and an armed group.’ It noted that the 130,000bpd currently offline from Sharara is likely to rise if the closure continues.
The NOC said that ‘such actions threaten to cause severe damage to vital facilities and equipment and could lead to a halt in refining operations and oil supplies’ and the complete paralysis of operational activities within the complex. This will have a direct and immediate impact on fuel supplies and state revenues, while also disrupting the import and distribution of petroleum products to the domestic market—thereby driving up supply costs and compounding the daily hardships faced by citizens.
The statement concluded that ‘in order to uphold its contractual obligations, the Board of Directors is preparing to declare *force majeure* within the coming hours if the valve is not reopened.’
Later on 22 September, Government of National Unity (GNU) PM Abdul Hameed Dabaiba issued Decision No. 454 of 2026 which said the salaries of the PFG shall be subject to the same provisions as those of the Libyan Army.
At the time of writing, there was no confirmation as to whether the blockades had been lifted as a result.