Libya’s Brega oil refinery has restarted operations after more than nine years offline, marking a significant development for the country’s energy and industrial sectors.

The National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced the restart on October 25, 2026, following a major overhaul at the facility in Marsa el-Brega, on Libya’s eastern coast. The refinery is owned and operated by Sirte Oil Company, a subsidiary of the NOC.

The rehabilitation included replacement of the refinery’s catalyst, upgraded control systems and installation of a new control room. The facility had been shut down on April 17, 2017, after a fault was identified in its main distillation tower.

According to Sirte Oil Company, security challenges and limited resources contributed to the lengthy delay in completing the work.

The restart could strengthen domestic fuel-processing capacity and support regional supply needs. It also highlights the importance of restoring and maintaining existing energy infrastructure as Libya seeks to improve the performance of its oil and gas sector.

However, the full economic impact will depend on sustained operations, production levels and the refinery’s ability to supply the market reliably. The restart alone does not establish how much additional fuel will reach consumers or whether prices will change.