Turkey poised to expand role in Libya energy sector

Libya’s long-dormant energy sector is stirring back to life, with Turkey poised to seize a pivotal role as the country reopens its oil and gas fields to international competition, as reported by the Libya Observer and agencies on January 27th.

Reportedly, Libya has opened the door to its first oil and gas bidding round in nearly 17 years, and Turkey is emerging as a strong contender.

Senior Libyan officials say Ankara’s technical capabilities and offshore expertise place it in a favourable position as international interest returns to the country’s energy sector.

Speaking at the Libya Energy and Economy Summit in Tripoli, Minister of Oil and Gas Khalifa Abdulsadiq said Turkey’s experience, particularly in offshore exploration, could give it an advantage in securing several of the newly offered blocks. He noted that Turkish companies have shown strong interest in the current bidding round, with a clear focus on offshore fields.

Libya’s oil and gas industry has attracted significant foreign investment from across the globe in recent times, marking a clear shift from years of under-investment and stagnation.

At the centre of this change is a landmark agreement worth more than $20 billion with France’s TotalEnergies and the US firm ConocoPhillips, signed through the state-owned Waha Oil Company.

BP has reopened its Tripoli office and is committed to further collaboration with Libya’s National Oil Corporation to support future exploration and development efforts.

After more than five years without offshore exploration, the National Oil Corporation has resumed activity in partnership with Italian firm Eni. These developments underscore the growing confidence among major international companies in the country’s hydrocarbon potential.

Cooperation with the Turkish Petroleum Corporation (TPAO) is already well advanced. Work is underway to implement a memorandum of understanding signed between Libya’s National Oil Corporation and TPAO in June 2025, which Abdulsadiq described as a “major commitment” between the two sides. Plans are also in place to sign a second agreement to expand collaboration.

Abdulsadiq also outlined ambitious production goals, revealing plans to raise Libya’s output to 1.6 million barrels per day by the end of 2026, with a longer-term target of reaching two million barrels per day.

He said participation by Turkey and other international partners would be essential to achieving these aims and strengthening the national economy.

The Libya Observer and agencies, Maghrebi.org