logo
Libya Attracts 40 Global Firms in New Oil Round

Libya Attracts 40 Global Firms in New Oil Round

Libya Review19-07-2025
A recent report by U.S.-based energy platform OilPrice.com highlights Libya's growing strategic importance in Western efforts to diversify energy sources and reduce reliance on Russian supplies, amid intensifying geopolitical competition with Moscow and Beijing in North Africa.
Despite ongoing political and security instability, the report notes that major Western energy companies—including Shell and BP—are re-establishing their presence in Libya's energy sector, seeking to secure long-term access to its rich oil and gas reserves.
Libya's Ambitious Oil Production Targets
The renewed Western interest coincides with ambitious production goals set by the National Oil Corporation (NOC) of Libya. The NOC aims to increase national crude output to 1.6 million barrels per day by 2026. Achieving this target will require investments of $3 to $4 billion, according to previous statements by the Acting Minister of Oil in the Government of National Unity.
Shell and BP are at the forefront of Britain's energy diversification strategy, serving as key players in the search for alternative supplies to sanctioned Russian oil and gas since the onset of the Ukraine war in 2022. The report mentions that both firms have recently resumed operations in Libya, alongside other European giants such as Italy's Eni and France's TotalEnergies.
This movement is framed as part of a broader Western energy pivot aimed at undermining Russia's ability to fund its war through energy revenues.
High International Interest in Libya's Exploration Round
OilPrice also pointed to a new oil licensing round launched by Libya's NOC in March, offering 22 onshore and offshore exploration blocks. The round has attracted interest from at least 40 international companies, including Spain's Repsol and U.S.-based ConocoPhillips.
The blocks cover key basins such as Murzuq, Ghadames, and Sirte, in addition to offshore areas in the Mediterranean—underscoring the vast geographical scope of Libya's hydrocarbon potential.
Security Services and Energy Infrastructure Protection
The report also highlights the willingness of international companies to invest in securing their operations on the ground. This includes deploying specialized security teams and building supporting infrastructure, in accordance with international legal frameworks. In some cases, the level of protection offered may rival that provided to foreign embassies in conflict zones.
As global powers continue to shift their energy strategies, Libya is poised to become a critical hub in Western energy realignment—if stability can be sustained. Tags: gaslibyanocoilOilPrice
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Libya Aims to Plant One Million Trees by 2026
Libya Aims to Plant One Million Trees by 2026

Libya Review

timea day ago

  • Libya Review

Libya Aims to Plant One Million Trees by 2026

Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced on Monday that it is preparing to launch the third phase of its ambitious 'Million Trees' initiative, aimed at reducing carbon emissions and enhancing environmental sustainability in and around the country's oil production zones. The campaign focuses on planting trees at oil sites and in surrounding municipalities to absorb carbon dioxide, improve air quality, and restore biodiversity. According to the NOC, the third phase will target industrial areas where the environmental impact of oil operations is most concentrated. It will also expand to nearby communities affected by pollution and desertification. The NOC stated that the initiative is part of its long-term sustainability strategy to plant one million trees across Libya by 2026. Thousands of trees were already planted during the first and second phases, and each stage of the campaign is designed to address both ecological and community needs. The effort is being carried out in collaboration with local partners, international organizations, and workers from the oil and gas sector. The corporation emphasized that tree planting is not just symbolic, but a tangible way to reduce environmental damage caused by decades of industrial activity. It added that involving oil workers and nearby residents helps build local ownership and long-term engagement in climate action. The second phase of the initiative, completed in April, focused on the Al-Wahat region, where over 55,000 trees were planted. The third phase will build on that model, expanding to additional regions with similar environmental pressures. With Libya's oil industry playing a central role in the national economy, the NOC is positioning this initiative as a key part of its environmental and social responsibility.

Libyan Authorities Arrest 1500 Migrants near Tripoli
Libyan Authorities Arrest 1500 Migrants near Tripoli

Libya Review

time2 days ago

  • Libya Review

Libyan Authorities Arrest 1500 Migrants near Tripoli

Libyan authorities have detained more than 1,500 foreign workers in a large-scale raid on informal settlements east of Tripoli, the Ministry of Labour announced on Saturday. The operation, attended by Labour Minister Ali Al-Abed, targeted what he described as 'large, unregulated housing clusters for foreign labour.' Al-Abed stated that the detained workers, of various nationalities, lacked residence permits, official documentation, or medical checks. 'These groups have not undergone any formal procedures or health screenings,' he said. The workers were taken to facilities under the Department for Combating Illegal Migration, where legal measures will be applied according to Libyan regulations. The targeted area consisted of makeshift camps surrounded by high walls and a large gate. An AFP reporter present at the scene described the camp as having a small grocery shop, a butcher, and a vegetable stand, highlighting the informal economic activity taking place there. Libya remains a key departure point for thousands of irregular migrants aiming to cross the Mediterranean to Italy, located just 300 km away. Many of the detained individuals are believed to be from Egypt and sub-Saharan Africa. It remains unclear whether immediate deportations are planned. The Ministry of Labour said the site failed to meet 'basic requirements for proper housing, health, and occupational safety,' according to the Libyan News Agency. Earlier this month, European Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner, accompanied by ministers from Greece, Italy, and Malta, visited Libya to discuss migration flows. Libyan naval forces regularly intercept migrant boats in international waters and return them to Libya, where humanitarian organisations and the UN have condemned detention conditions as inhumane. The recent crackdown highlights Libya's ongoing efforts to regulate undocumented foreign labour and curb irregular migration amid increasing international scrutiny. Tags: Immigrationlibyamigrantstripoli

Italian Military Aircraft Conducts Third Maritime Patrol Off Eastern Libya
Italian Military Aircraft Conducts Third Maritime Patrol Off Eastern Libya

Libya Review

time2 days ago

  • Libya Review

Italian Military Aircraft Conducts Third Maritime Patrol Off Eastern Libya

An Italian Air Force ATR P-72A aircraft carried out a nearly six-hour-long maritime patrol mission off the eastern coast of Libya, according to flight tracking data reported by Itamil Radar. The aircraft departed from Souda Air Base on the Greek island of Crete and focused its patrol over the maritime zone stretching between the Libyan cities of Al-Bayda and Tobruk. This marks the third such mission by the same aircraft in recent days. Unlike the previous patrols, which monitored wider zones, this mission appeared to concentrate specifically on the eastern coastal corridor. After completing its operations, the aircraft flew toward southeastern Crete before returning to its base. The ongoing surveillance flights reflect a heightened European military presence in the central Mediterranean, particularly amid concerns over irregular migration, maritime security, and regional instability near the Libyan coastline. Libya has been in chaos since a NATO-backed uprising toppled longtime leader Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. The county has for years been split between rival administrations. Libya's economy, heavily reliant on oil, has suffered due to the ongoing conflict. The instability has led to fluctuations in oil production and prices, impacting the global oil market and Libya's economy. The conflict has led to a significant humanitarian crisis in Libya, with thousands of people killed, and many more displaced. Migrants and refugees using Libya as a transit point to Europe have also faced dire conditions. The planned elections for December 2021 were delayed due to disagreements over election laws and the eligibility of certain candidates. This delay has raised concerns about the feasibility of a peaceful political transition. Despite the ceasefire, security remains a significant concern with sporadic fighting and the presence of mercenaries and foreign fighters. The unification of the military and the removal of foreign forces are crucial challenges. Tags: ATR P-72AItalian Air ForceItalylibya

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store