The National Oil Corporation reported that the unauthorized closure triggered dangerous pressure fluctuations, stripping the field of its output potential. Operated by Akakus Oil Operations, the site saw production plummet from 340,000 barrels per day to approximately 120,000 barrels per day within a single 24-hour cycle. The state firm has warned that if the standoff persists, it will be forced to declare force majeure, effectively halting all shipments to the Zawiya port.

Beyond the immediate economic impact, officials highlighted the technical peril posed to the infrastructure. The pressure buildup risks compromising the structural integrity of the pipeline system, which serves as a primary artery for Libyan crude. With global supply chains already strained by disruptions near the Strait of Hormuz and ongoing issues at Saudi Arabia’s Yanbu terminal, this regional blockade adds significant upward pressure to international oil prices.