Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) has announced the adoption of the country’s first unified drilling regulation, a step the corporation describes as historic for the Libyan energy sector.
The regulation, approved by NOC Chairman Masoud Suleiman in the presence of board members and drilling directors from affiliated companies, establishes a standardized framework that will now guide all drilling and well-maintenance operations across the national oil industry.
Suleiman said the new regulation represents a major leap toward improving the efficiency, safety, and technical consistency of drilling activities in Libya. By unifying procedures that previously varied between companies, the NOC aims to reduce operational gaps, enhance oversight, and ensure a higher level of coordination in the execution of fieldwork.
He noted that clear, harmonized guidelines will allow teams to work more effectively, reduce risks, and implement safety measures more rigorously across oil fields and production sites.
According to the NOC, this regulation is the result of more than five years of technical collaboration involving experts from multiple companies, specialized engineering departments, and drilling units.
The final version includes standardized specifications for equipment, safety protocols, emergency procedures, well-design criteria, and operational documentation. Officials say the regulation is designed not only to protect workers and equipment but also to reduce logistical inefficiencies and curb unnecessary costs associated with non-standard drilling practices.
The corporation also confirmed that the regulation will undergo periodic reviews to incorporate technological developments and reflect evolving industry best practices. Suleiman emphasized that adopting a unified drilling code is only one step in a larger effort to develop a more resilient, transparent, and professionally managed oil sector capable of meeting Libya’s long-term energy and economic goals.