Italian energy giant Eni has resumed offshore drilling northwest of Libya, marking its return after a five-year break that halted progress in one of North Africa’s most resource-rich zones.
The National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced that operations have resumed in a field that was suspended since 2020, when COVID-19 disrupted exploration activities. The move signals a renewed confidence in Libya’s oil and gas sector from foreign investors, which has long struggled with instability.
“This step revives Libya’s offshore potential,” said NOC Chairman Farhat Bengdara in a statement. “It brings jobs, technology, and a path to energy security after years of stagnation.”
Eni, in partnership with BP, had paused onshore drilling in 2014 when Libya’s civil war divided the country and crippled its production. The new offshore work aligns with Libya’s goal to raise daily oil output from 1.2 million to 2 million barrels by 2030, according to the Ministry of Oil and Gas.
Eni, which has operated in Libya since 1959, now plans further drilling and exploration under a 2023 agreement worth $8 billion, focusing on gas fields to support exports to Italy through the Greenstream pipeline.
As global markets shift toward cleaner fuels, experts note that Libya’s energy revival could balance short-term energy needs with long-term renewable plans.
Read also: Nigeria, Angola lead Africa’s big five oil and gas producers
