Libya’s Al-Sarir refinery restarts after major maintenance

Libya’s Al-Sarir refinery in the east of the country has returned to full production after completing an extensive maintenance programme, its operator Arabian Gulf Oil Company (Agoco) said. Agoco, a subsidiary of National Oil Corporation, said on Wednesday, February 4, that the work targeted the crude distillation unit, which sits at the heart of the refining process. The company carried out the overhaul during a planned shutdown to complete major mechanical and technical repairs. Maintenance ended on January 21, 2026, allowing the refinery to move into a phased restart.

After the shutdown, teams carried out technical inspections and safety tests. Agoco said it reintroduced crude into the distillation unit at 10:53 a.m., marking the formal return to normal operations. The restart took place under challenging conditions, including sandstorms and technical constraints. Despite this, the company said the process concluded without incident. In a Facebook statement, Agoco credited its workforce and supervisory teams, pointing to detailed planning, close oversight, and strict compliance with safety and quality standards.

Data from Tripoli-based oil and gas services firm PetroGas Libya show that Libya has installed refining capacity of about 380,000 barrels per day, which exceeds estimated domestic demand of roughly 227,000 to 235,000 b/d.