Libya’s Al-Sarir refinery in the country’s east has resumed full production following the completion of extensive maintenance work, the operator Arabian Gulf Oil Company (Agoco) said.
The overhaul focused primarily on the crude distillation unit, the core of the refining process, and required a planned shutdown to carry out comprehensive mechanical and technical work. Maintenance was completed on January 21, 2026, after which the facility underwent a series of technical tests to verify equipment safety and performance.
“Crude introduction into the distillation unit began at 10:53 a.m., marking the gradual return of the refinery to normal operations,” Agoco said. The restart occurred amid challenging weather, including sandstorms, and several technical constraints, but the company reported that the operation was completed safely and without incident.
Agoco emphasized that the restart reflects the efficiency of national staff, careful planning, and strict adherence to safety and quality standards, supporting operational stability, reliability, and sustainable production.
Al-Sarir is one of Libya’s five refineries and has a relatively modest capacity of 10,000 barrels per day (b/d). Alongside other “topping” refineries such as Brega (10,000 b/d) and Tobruk (20,000 b/d), it complements the country’s larger refining facilities, Ras Lanuf (220,000 b/d) and Zawiya (120,000 b/d), according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Libya currently claims a total refining capacity of approximately 380,000 b/d, exceeding domestic petroleum consumption, estimated at 227,000 to 235,000 b/d. Despite this, the country relies heavily on imports, which reached an estimated 258,000 b/d, or more than 41 million liters per day, in 2024, according to a November 2025 study by The Sentry.
The National Oil Corporation (NOC) plans to further expand Libya’s refining capacity to 660,000 b/d, in line with the government’s ambition to raise crude oil production to 1.6 million b/d by the end of 2026. Analysts say that improving refining infrastructure is critical for Libya to meet domestic fuel demand, reduce imports, and increase value retention from crude production.
Al-Sarir’s restart is part of broader efforts by Libya to strengthen its oil sector after years of disruption caused by political instability, conflict, and operational challenges. The NOC has prioritized maintenance of existing facilities while pursuing investment in new and upgraded refineries to secure long-term energy supply and boost the country’s export potential.
With its crude distillation unit back online, Al-Sarir contributes to Libya’s overall refining resilience, helping ensure that even smaller facilities play a key role in stabilizing supply and supporting the nation’s energy security strategy.
