Eni gas discoveries deepen Italy–Libya ties

As political instability and border insecurity persist in Libya, Italy’s energy giant Eni continues to expand its footprint in the country.

Italy’s energy giant Eni has announced two new gas discoveries in Libya totaling more than one trillion cubic feet, according to Libya Herald.

The discoveries were made in two adjacent geological structures, Bahr Essalam South 2 (BESS 2) and Bahr Essalam South 3 (BESS 3), located approximately 85 km offshore in about 650 feet of water and around 16 km south of the Bahr Essalam gas field.

According to Eni, initial volumetric assessments indicate that the two structures hold more than 28 billion cubic meters of gas in place. Their proximity to existing infrastructure at the Bahr Essalam field, Libya’s largest offshore gas field, in production since 2005, will allow for rapid development through connections to current facilities. The gas is expected to supply both the Libyan domestic market and exports to Italy.

The discovery is likely to further strengthen ties between Italy and Libya, where Eni has been present since 1959 and remains its leading international operator, with equity production of around 162,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2025.

Beyond the energy sector, relations between Rome and Libya extend into political and security cooperation. Italy has maintained engagement with both the Government of National Unity in western Libya and forces aligned with the Libyan National Army in the east, particularly in efforts to strengthen border control and curb migration flows toward Europe.

Economic ties have also expanded into other sectors. On March 9, an agreement for the printing and supply of textbooks for the 2026–2027 academic year was signed at the Libyan Prime Minister’s office between the Educational Curricula and Research Centre and the Italian company Rotolito.

The new gas discoveries come just a month after Libya reopened its oil and gas sector to international competition. On February 11, the National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced the results of its first public bid round in 17 years, offering 20 exploration blocks for oil and gas drilling.

However, analysts warn that increased foreign involvement could exacerbate Libya’s already fragile political situation. The country remains divided between rival authorities in the east and west, and western Libya’s effective control over the NOC has already contributed to the emergence of alternative structures in the east.

Among these is the Arkenu Oil Company, which has allowed eastern-based authorities aligned with Khalifa Haftar to bypass institutions in Tripoli. Critics argue that without parallel political reconciliation, renewed foreign investment risks deepening institutional divisions rather than resolving them.

Ongoing political instability also creates space for criminal networks and armed groups, many of which profit from the smuggling of people, weapons, and fuel across Libya’s porous borders. While the country’s energy sector continues to attract major international investment, its persistent links to corruption and illicit activities may ultimately undermine its long-term prospects.

Libya Herald, Eni website, Maghrebi.org