The Zawiya refinery tank farm ihas Oil left for 20 days
The pipeline to Zawiya passes through rebel-held land near the Nafusa Mountains: pouring cement into a valve would shut it down. But Western governments have persuaded the rebels not to touch either that pipe or a nearby natural-gas one that helps keep Tripoli’s lights on. Other sources of fuel are dwindling. Rebels say that Tunisians have helped them shut down most of the traffic of fuel-laden trucks entering Libya in the west, though some may still be getting in from Algeria. http://www.economist.com/node/18837167?story_id=18837167
Brega, still heavily defended by Colonel Qaddafi’s forces, is almost as crucial as Zawiya. If it fell, the rebels would try to reopen it as an export hub for gas as well as oil—and Sidra and Ras Lanuf would probably fall too.
A litre of fuel in the capital now sells for more than $8, about 50 times the price in Benghazi, the rebel stronghold in the east. Some lines of cars at Tripoli’s petrol stations now stretch for more than a mile, with drivers taking turns to keep watch over cars left in queues overnight. Thieves scour the capital for vehicles that still have fuel in their tanks.
Limited supplies exist. A trickle of oil from fields in the regime-held south-west feeds the refinery at Zawiya, on the coast near Tripoli. Aerial surveillance shows heat coming from the plant but it is probably operating at no more than 30% of its capacity of 120,000 barrels a day (b/d). On June 12th rebels tried to capture the town but were repulsed by artillery. If Colonel Qaddafi were to lose Zawiya and its refinery, the game would probably be up.
#Libyan revolutionaries cut off oil supplies to #zawiya oil refinery which supply gaddafi troops with fuel youtube.com/watch?v=uxl00J… #Libya
#Libya FFs must shut #oil #pipeline from Wafa oil field NOW, otherwise will feed Zawiya refinery! twitdoc.com/view.asp?id=14…
