The National Oil Corporation has announced its readiness to drill Libya’s first deep-water exploration well in the submerged offshore zone of the Sirte Basin in early January, marking the deepest offshore drilling attempt in the country’s history and a significant milestone in efforts to expand its offshore energy potential.
The corporation held a preparatory meeting at NOC headquarters in Tripoli on Thursday, attended by representatives from Eni, BP, the Libyan Investment Authority, and several leading international service companies. The meeting focused on operational planning and execution phases for the well, which is scheduled to be spudded in early January in offshore block 38/3.
The drilling site lies at a water depth of around 1,900 metres and approximately 170 kilometres off the Libyan coast, making it the deepest offshore well ever attempted in the country. Participants reviewed operational scenarios, readiness requirements, and the technical capabilities of the companies involved, with an emphasis on ensuring that the project is carried out in line with the highest industry and safety standards.
The NOC described the initiative as a pivotal milestone for Libya’s offshore exploration program, opening new avenues for investment and strengthening ongoing efforts to develop the nation’s oil and gas sector. The deep-water exploration represents a significant technical challenge and demonstrates the international oil industry’s renewed commitment to exploring Libya’s offshore potential despite the country’s ongoing political complexities.
The project involves the Eni-BP consortium working alongside the Libyan Investment Authority and various international service companies to ensure the operation meets the highest technical and safety standards adopted in the offshore oil industry.
Sources: libyanexpress.com, libyaobserver.ly