The Misrata Court of Appeal issued a ruling rejecting the appeal of the Emirati company Trasta, the foreign partner in the Ras Lanuf refinery, against the process of emptying the refinery’s tanks of petroleum products.
This rejection came after a previous ruling by the Paris Court of Appeal in which it granted full control of the refinery to the National Oil Corporation, and obligated Trasta to pay outstanding fees.
The former Head of the National Oil Corporation, Mustafa Sanalla, had explained that the process of emptying the tanks was carried out by a judicial decision and with the knowledge of all parties, in order to remove the risks of the presence of huge quantities of stagnant fuel in the tanks for more than a decade, in order to preserve the safety of workers and citizens in the Ras Lanuf area.
Sanalla pointed out that emptying the tanks also aims to protect the refinery and the Ras Lanuf petrochemical complex from the dangers of potential fires and explosions, especially since the refinery stopped working for years due to disputes between partners.
He welcomed the decision of the Paris Court of Appeal, considering it wise and in the interest of all parties, as it would allow the remaining quantities of fuel to be sold, reduce risks, and preserve the refinery’s facilities.
Sanalla believed that this ruling once again proved the justice of the National Oil Corporation’s position, and the illegality of Trasta's demands, a stance confirmed by previous judicial and arbitration rulings that were issued locally and internationally in favor of the National Oil Corporation.
