Summary:

On 4 December 2025, Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced that its Exploration and Drilling Departments held a preparatory meeting with representatives from Eni, BP, and the Libyan Investment Authority (LIA) to finalize steps for drilling the country’s first deepwater exploratory well.  

Major international service companies also attended the meeting, which took place at NOC headquarters in Tripoli. 

The discussions focused on the operational plan and implementation requirements for the well, scheduled for drilling in January. The project marks Libya’s first deepwater operation, targeting a depth of roughly 1,900 meters in offshore Block 38/3, located 170 km off the Libyan coast. 

Outlook: 

With preparations advancing, the upcoming deepwater drilling signals renewed momentum in Libya’s offshore sector following years of delays and limited exploration activity. A first-of-its-kind effort of this sort is further evidence of the momentum that is building in Libya’s oil and gas sector as the NOC and its partners begin looking beyond solving short-term crises. 

The involvement of Eni, BP, and international oil and gas service companies underscores sustained foreign interest despite persistent political uncertainty.  

Successful initial operations could pave the way for further deepwater exploration, potentially reshaping Libya’s medium-term production outlook and strengthening its position in the Mediterranean energy landscape. However, operational timelines remain vulnerable to security, governance, and regulatory disruptions that continue to challenge the broader sector. 

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