On Tuesday, the National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced that Mellitah Oil & Gas is preparing to launch a major offshore drilling campaign involving the development of eight natural gas wells in the offshore “Structure A” zone.
The initiative is part of the NOC’s broader strategy to increase gas production and improve the country’s energy security.
Drilling operations are scheduled to begin soon following the arrival of the Valid Rig, operated by global offshore drilling company Borr Drilling, at the designated site. The targeted wells are located at sea depths reaching up to 100 meters, and the overall execution timeline is expected to span approximately 15 months.
According to projections from the NOC, this offshore campaign will add around 160 million cubic feet of natural gas per day to Libya’s production capacity. The additional gas supply is expected to play a critical role in stabilizing domestic energy delivery, particularly for key sectors such as electricity generation, cement manufacturing, iron and steel production, and cooking gas for households.
The development is seen as a key step in Libya’s efforts to revitalize its energy sector and support national economic recovery through large-scale infrastructure and production investments. The Mellitah Oil & Gas company is a joint venture between the NOC and Italian energy major Eni, and has been instrumental in managing offshore and onshore energy assets in Libya.
This latest initiative reflects Libya’s intention to strengthen its gas infrastructure and reduce supply gaps that have historically hindered economic growth and public service delivery. The new wells will also help meet growing domestic demand for power, while enhancing Libya’s capacity to maintain regional energy partnerships, including with European markets via the Greenstream pipeline.
Despite ongoing political and security challenges, Libya’s energy sector continues to pursue ambitious development projects aimed at restoring production levels and ensuring sustainable energy access nationwide.
