Libya’s Ministry of Oil and Gas denied news being circulated about the withdrawal of the American mega-firm, Halliburton from the Libyan market.
Libyan activists circulated news that Halliburton had left its areas of operation in the central and western regions of the country. They claimed this was due to political instability, and a lack of security.
The ministry confirmed that Halliburton “continues to perform its work normally, in cooperation with Libyan oil companies.”
Halliburton Energy Services is a global American company operating in more than 120 countries, including Libya. It resumed its suspended activities in late 2019.
In February, Halliburton’s North Africa director, Ahmed Helmy said that the company aspires to resume its operations in the Libyan oil sector.
During a meeting held in Tripoli with the former Chairman of Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC), Mustafa Sanalla, Helmy said that Halliburton will work to provide solutions and consultations to resolve all the bottlenecks facing the Libyan oil industry.
He added that they will contribute to providing digital transformation programs, that “will have a positive impact on improving production, processes, development, and quality.”
The two parties discussed ways to support and strengthen partnership mechanisms. This is to increase oil production by drilling operations, well maintenance, and a capacity-building program for workers in the sector.
Notably, a delegation from Halliburton met with Sanalla in December 2021 and discussed the digital transformation program and digital technology in Libyan oil fields.
The NOC has said that the project will have a positive impact on improving production processes, and their quality.
Libya is exempt from production limits agreed upon by the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and allies (OPEC+), as the country struggles to recover from years of instability.