Libya discovers three oil and gas fields

Libya has reported the discovery of three oil and gas fields as it seeks to increase hydrocarbon production.

The state-owned National Oil Corporation (NOC) and Algeria’s Sonatrach announced a gas and oil discovery in the Ghadames basin, northwest Libya. The field has a production rate of 13 million cubic feet of gas and 327 barrels of condensate per day, a statement said.

This is the sixth well drilled by Sonatrach among eight planned under an exploration and production-sharing agreement signed in May 2008, NOC said.

The Libyan company, in collaboration with Spain’s Repsol, announced an oil discovery with average production of 763 barrels per day in the Murzuq basin, 800km south of Tripoli. The two firms signed an exploitation agreement in 2008.

NOC and Italy’s Eni also reported an offshore gas discovery, 95km from the Libyan coast.

In January Libya signed a long-term development deal worth $20 billion with France’s TotalEnergies and US-based ConocoPhillips to boost the production capacity of the Waha oil project, one of the largest in the country.

Libya plans a second upstream licensing round following a strong response to that of 2025, oil and gas minister Khalifa Abdulsadek has said.

The first round attracted more than 50 companies, including several top-tier international oil businesses, he said.

Libya, one of Africa’s biggest oil producers, is a member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries. Foreign investors have been wary of pumping money into Libya, in turmoil since the overthrow of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Further reading:

• Libyan oil revenues rise as output hits 10-year high
• Salem Maiar: The cautious return of oil internationals to Libya
• Libya to open oil exploration bids in February 2026