Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) has begun final preparations to drill the country’s first deepwater exploration well in the Sirte Basin, marking a major milestone for offshore energy development.
On Thursday, the NOC’s Exploration and Drilling Departments held a preparatory meeting in Tripoli with representatives from the Eni–BP consortium and the Libyan Investment Authority, alongside senior figures from leading international service companies. The meeting focused on planning, technical readiness and operational procedures for the well, which is scheduled to be drilled in January.
The project will be Libya’s first-ever deepwater exploration well, located in offshore Block 38/3 at a water depth of approximately 1,900 metres, around 170 kilometres from the Libyan coast. The initiative is seen as a strategic step toward unlocking Libya’s deepwater hydrocarbon potential, an area that has remained largely unexplored despite strong geological indicators.
During the meeting, participants reviewed multiple operational scenarios, safety measures, and logistical requirements to ensure the well is executed in line with the highest technical and health-and-safety standards. International service companies also outlined their capabilities and readiness to support the operation.
Industry observers say the upcoming deepwater drilling campaign could open a new chapter for Libya’s energy sector, which has long relied on mature onshore fields. Successful results in the Sirte offshore basin would represent a significant expansion of the country’s exploration frontier and could attract further foreign investment.