Fighting in Libya breaks out near Lifeco urea plant - Yara

08 March 2011 11:48  [Source: ICIS news]

LONDON (ICIS)--Violent clashes between security forces loyal to Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi and rebels have broken out near Libyan Norwegian Fertiliser Co's (Lifeco) urea plant at Marsa el-Brega, Norwegian fertilizer company Yara said on Tuesday.

Lifeco shut down its urea unit at Marsa el-Brega toward the end of February as a precautionary measure amid anti-government unrest in Libya, Yara previously said.

Yara has a 50% stake in Lifeco as part of a joint venture established in February 2009 with National Oil Corp of Libya.

“It seems that there has been fighting between the army and protesters close to the industrial petrochemical site, and that is where our plant is,” said Yara spokesman Asle Skredderberget.

“We have no reports of damage to the plant. It seems that the protesters and the army have not had no intention to destroy this plant or any other plant in the area,” Skredderberget added.

Skredderberget said the company has not yet decided when production at the plant will resume.

Lifeco is understood to produce a total of 2,200 tonnes/day of ammonia and 2,750 tonnes/day of urea. Much of Lifeco’s urea output is sold into Mediterranean markets such as Turkey, Italy and Spain.

Rebel forces in Libya are trying to overthrow Gaddafi's regime. According to media reports on Tuesday, Gaddafi's forces launched further air strikes on the rebel-held oil port of Ras Lanuf.

Additional reporting by Carl Roache

For more on urea visit ICIS fertilizers

By: Franco Capaldo
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