Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC) declared a state of emergency at a major oil refinery in the city of Zawiya, near which armed groups clashed on Sunday morning.
NOC declared force majeure and a level 3 emergency at the Zawiya Refinery following an artillery attack that caused serious damage to several tanks and resulting fires, though these were extinguished and no injuries occurred.
The NOC board of directors called on the Tripoli-based Government of National Unity to intervene to resolve the clashes and end the unrest.
Libya, an OPEC member, has Africa's largest hydrocarbon reserves. Before the civil war that broke out in the country in 2011, it was the world's 12th largest oil exporter, producing 1.6 million barrels per day. After a ceasefire between the western and eastern forces, production was increased to 1.2 million barrels per day. Currently, production levels continue to rise. On December 3, Libya's oil production exceeded 1.4 million barrels per day, reaching a record high since 2013.