The National Oil Corporation of Libya (NOC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) to launch geological and geophysical studies in four offshore areas, marking a new phase in energy cooperation between Libya and Turkey.
The agreement was signed during a formal ceremony held in Istanbul on Monday, with NOC Chairman Eng. Masoud Suleiman representing Libya’s state oil company, and General Manager Ahmet Türkoglu signing on behalf of TPAO.
Under the MoU, TPAO will carry out comprehensive geological and geophysical evaluations in the designated offshore zones. The programme includes a two-dimensional seismic survey covering approximately 10,000 kilometres, with a firm timeline of no more than nine months for completing the data processing and analysis.
According to NOC’s official statement, this collaboration reflects the corporation’s commitment to revitalising offshore exploration and attracting foreign expertise to enhance Libya’s hydrocarbon output. The study aims to unlock the potential of Libya’s underexplored offshore basins, which could significantly contribute to future production increases.
Discussions during the signing also touched on technical cooperation, knowledge exchange, and the potential for further partnerships in upstream operations.
The agreement comes at a time when Libya is seeking to stabilise and expand its oil and gas production capacity after years of political and infrastructural setbacks. TPAO has previously expressed interest in strengthening its presence in the Eastern Mediterranean and North African energy markets, and this MoU could serve as a strategic foothold for long-term Turkish involvement in Libya’s energy sector.
NOC confirmed that both parties are committed to transparent collaboration and timely execution of the agreed study phases, setting the stage for potential exploration and drilling in Libya’s offshore frontiers.i
