The development comes ahead of the Libya Energy & Economic Summit (LEES) 2027, taking place in Tripoli from January 23–25, as the country seeks $36–$40 billion in investment to increase production capacity to two million barrels per day. With 70–100 wells targeted annually, the NOC is working to translate the country's geological potential into new discoveries, commercial developments and increased production.

Exploration Accelerates Across Libya’s Major Basins

Orlen’s November campaign follows a November 2 technical meeting with the NOC's Exploration Department in Tripoli, where both parties reviewed completed studies, outstanding contractual commitments and the proposed 2027 work program. The company operates Blocks 1 and 2 of Area 113, covering approximately 5,500 km2 in the Murzuq Basin under a 2008 exploration and production sharing agreement.

Two previous wells, A1-113/1 and B1-113/1, delivered natural gas discoveries in 2013 and 2014, respectively. ORLEN subsequently lifted force majeure on April 1, 2024, and resumed preparations to fulfil its exploration obligations, which include eight exploratory wells and substantial 2D and 3D seismic acquisition.

Elsewhere, exploration success is expanding Libya's resource base. In the Sirte Basin, Austria's OMV discovered the Essar field in Contract Area 106/4, where well B1-106/4 initially flowed 4,200 bpd of crude and 2.6 million cubic feet per day (mmcf/d) of gas. Recoverable light oil resources are estimated at up to 45 million barrels, with engineering work underway to connect the discovery to existing infrastructure.

Offshore western Libya, Eni's March 2026 drilling at Bahr Essalam South identified gas-bearing intervals in the BESS 2 and BESS 3 structures, approximately 85 km offshore. Combined gas initially in place is estimated at more than 1 trillion cubic feet, while its J1-4/16 exploration well subsequently recorded test flows reaching 24 mmcf/d.

The Ghadames Basin is also attracting renewed attention, with Sonatrach's A1-69/02 well producing 13 mmcf/d of gas and 327 barrels of condensate daily. The discovery was made under a production-sharing agreement involving Sonatrach as operator, alongside consortium partners Oil India Limited and Indian Oil Corporation.

Frontier Drilling and the Next Exploration Cycle

Libya's exploration program is extending beyond established producing basins into deeper offshore acreage. In Contract Area 38/3, a consortium comprising Eni, bp and the Libyan Investment Authority commenced the country's first ultra-deepwater exploration campaign, deploying a Saipem drillship in approximately 1,900m of water.

The well is designed to reach approximately 4,500m below the seabed, testing prospects that could significantly expand Libya's offshore resource base. Meanwhile, Repsol continues exploration in the Murzuq Basin, where its J1-4/130 well encountered the Mummiyat Formation and recorded average production of 763 barrels of oil daily.

LEES 2027 will bring these developments into focus, connecting the NOC, international operators and investors around Libya's expanding drilling program. With discoveries emerging across the Sirte, Murzuq, Ghadames and Sabratha basins, the summit provides a platform to advance exploration commitments, mobilize investment and convert new geological opportunities into commercial production.

For more information about LEES 2027, visit www.libyasummit.com. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.