Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) held an extensive technical meeting with Algeria’s Sonatrach on Monday, reviewing exploration progress and confirming the company’s commitment to complete key drilling obligations in Libya. The session formed part of annual consultations with foreign operators participating in Libya’s energy sector.
According to the NOC, discussions focused on Sonatrach’s 2025 work programme, including updates on re-entry to exploratory well A1-96/2, alongside plans to drill four appraisal wells across contract areas 95/1 and 96/1. During the briefing, Sonatrach reaffirmed its intention to meet its outstanding exploration commitments and proceed with two additional wells, marking a renewed push in Libya’s upstream investment landscape.
The meeting was attended by the NOC’s Exploration Department Director, Sonatrach’s General Manager and Deputy Director, as well as senior technical teams from both sides. Representatives from Indian partner companies also joined the discussions remotely, reflecting the multi-national framework of Libya’s concession partnerships.
The review comes at a time when Libya continues to court major international oil companies and restore confidence in long-term exploration activity following years of disruption. The reaffirmation by Sonatrach — a key North African energy player — signals continuity in cross-border collaboration and a strengthened Algerian role in Libya’s hydrocarbon sector.
Industry observers view Sonatrach’s renewed drilling steps as strategically significant, given Libya’s vast proven reserves and the government’s ambition to push output towards two million barrels per day in coming years. The expansion of exploration activity also aligns with Libya’s wider goal of raising investment and technology transfer within its upstream operations.
The NOC confirmed that technical follow-ups will continue in the coming months, with both parties reiterating commitment to operational timelines, safety standards, and enhanced cooperation in supporting Libya’s production capacity and resource assessment programmes.