Libya: PFG calls for heightened readiness at Al-Wafa oilfield amid unspecified threat

The Petroleum Facilities Guard (PFG) – Southwest Branch of Libya- has called on all brigades responsible for securing the Al-Wafa oilfield to increase their level of readiness in response to what it described as “a matter of utmost importance.”

The PFG urged all brigades to deploy to the field to bolster its protection, although the reasons for the heightened state of emergency were not disclosed.

The PFG posted photos on its Facebook page, showing patrols by the brigades stationed at Al-Wafa oilfield, located 540 kilometers southwest of Tripoli, near the Libyan-Algerian border. However, the PFG did not clarify the specific threats prompting the raised security alert. Neither the National Oil Corporation nor Mellitah Oil and Gas Company, which jointly operate the field, have issued any statements regarding recent developments at the site.

Al-Wafa oilfield lies within the “NC-A16” concession contract and is a key asset in Libya’s energy sector. The field’s location, roughly 160 kilometers south of Ghadames, has previously been a point of contention between various security forces.

This latest call for heightened security follows an incident two months ago in which the PFG Southwest Branch and the 444th Brigade exchanged accusations after clashes in early November 2024. The PFG alleged that a faction of the 444th Brigade had attempted to attack oil facilities, a claim that the brigade denied, stating its role was to combat smuggling rather than manage oilfield security.