As regional tensions escalate and impact global energy markets, Libya has re-emerged as a player in securing oil and gas supplies for Europe. However, these growing economic opportunities are being undermined by mounting security threats, particularly following recent attacks on oil infrastructure. This situation raises critical questions regarding the nation’s ability to safeguard its vital resources while balancing economic gains with intensified protection measures.
Jamal Shlouf, head of the Silphium Foundation for Research and Studies, warned of the increasing risks facing oil facilities, noting that the sabotage of the “Sharara” pipeline validates his earlier warnings issued at the onset of regional military escalations in March 2026. Shlouf highlighted that conflict in the Gulf region and threats to the Strait of Hormuz have added a “risk premium” to oil prices, positioning Libya and its projects, such as the GreenStream pipeline, as strategic alternatives for Europe. Consequently, this role makes Libyan infrastructure a target for entities seeking to disrupt its energy influence.
Furthermore, Shlouf pointed out that while regional powers’ preoccupation with internal security might lessen foreign intervention and allow for an independent local political path, it simultaneously increases the domestic responsibility to manage this phase. He emphasized that the current period demands a combination of astute economic exploitation of global conditions and rigorous security to protect vital assets, asserting that such incidents will persist without decisive action.
Operationally, media reports indicated that the “El Feel” field has been offline since last Thursday, as its pipelines are being utilized to divert crude from the “Sharara” field following a fire at the “Hamada” site. Current flows from Sharara are being redirected via alternative routes to the Mellitah terminal and subsequently to storage tanks in Zawiya, with pumping capacities ranging between 80,000 and 100,000 barrels per day. These developments place Libya within a complex equation of promising prospects and heightened risks, necessitating urgent measures to fortify infrastructure and ensure production continuity