The United States (US) has reiterated its support for Libya’s energy sector following a meeting between Acting US Ambassador to Libya Jeremy Berndt and the Chairman of the National Oil Corporation (NOC), Masoud Suleiman.
According to a statement released by the US Embassy, Berndt hosted Suleiman in Tunis for talks focused on ways Washington and US companies could assist Libya in strengthening its oil and gas industry. Discussions highlighted opportunities for technical cooperation, investment in infrastructure, and strategies to boost production capacity.
Berndt described the NOC as a “vital institution,” stressing that its independence and technocratic approach are central to Libya’s economic future. He underlined that preserving the corporation’s integrity is essential to ensuring energy revenues benefit all Libyans while driving stability and growth across the country.
Libya remains one of Africa’s most resource-rich nations, with the continent’s largest proven oil reserves. Current production is around 1.39 million barrels per day, but the NOC has set ambitious targets of raising crude output to 2 million barrels daily and natural gas production to 4 billion cubic feet per day within five years. Achieving this will require massive investment in technology, training, and infrastructure upgrades—areas where US partnerships could play a crucial role.
The meeting comes as Libya continues to face challenges of political division, security risks, and periodic disruptions to oilfields and export terminals. Despite these obstacles, the NOC has maintained relative independence and kept operations running, often under difficult circumstances.
