Libya: Oil Production Exceeds 1.4 Million Barrels A Day, Highest Since 2013, NOC Says

Libya’s oil production has exceeded 1.4 million barrels per day this year, its highest level since 2013, National Oil Corporation (NOC) Chairman Musa’ud Sulaiman said.

Sulaiman attributed the increase to the rehabilitation of idle fields, drilling of new development wells, completion of projects, routine well maintenance and infrastructure upgrades.

He was speaking at the opening of the NOVA 2026 conference and exhibition in Benghazi.

The event, running from October 5 to 7, focuses on exploration, development and digital transformation.

Libya, an OPEC member since 1962, has Africa’s largest proven oil reserves, Sulaiman said.

He highlighted exploration opportunities in the country’s sedimentary basins, particularly the Sirte Basin, and its strategic location on the Mediterranean Sea.

“Libya has promising oil potential, as it has the largest proven oil reserves in the African continent, in addition to the exploratory potential of the Libyan sedimentary basins, particularly the Sirte Basin, and the strategic location of Libya on the Mediterranean Sea,” he said.

Sulaiman said NOC remained committed to its short-, medium- and long-term oil and gas targets. Its priorities include diversifying energy sources, reducing gas flaring, developing natural gas transport infrastructure and encouraging international companies to resume operations in Libyan oilfields.

He said the conference provided a platform for NOC and its international partners to exchange expertise and explore opportunities for cooperation.

The NOC-sponsored event brought together oil company executives, industry experts and other participants.