Libya’s NOC Extinguishes Sharara Pipeline Fire; Production to Recover Within 24 Hours

Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC) contains a fire on the Sharara crude pipeline. Production is expected to return to full capacity within 24 hours.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 19, 2026, 12:09 PM EDT

Source: Reuters

Incident Overview and Rapid Containment

The fire broke out on the pipeline connecting the southwestern Sharara field to the coast. According to official statements, the root cause was a leak in a pipeline valve. Footage released by the NOC showed emergency crews surrounding a sand crater at the site of the leak. Despite the visual severity of the fire, the NOC confirmed that containment was achieved quickly enough to prevent long-term infrastructure damage.

Current Status: 50% of the field's production capacity is currently operational.

Restoration Timeline: Full production is forecasted to resume by Friday, March 20, 2026.

Maintenance: Repair work is set to commence immediately following a formal technical assessment.

Strategic Importance of the Sharara Field