Eni, NOC, and BP Begin Deepwater Drilling in Libya’s Gulf of Sirte
Eni North Africa and its partners, including Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC), BP, and the Libyan Investment Authority, have begun drilling their first deepwater exploration well offshore Libya in the Gulf of Sirte, marking a significant step forward in the country’s offshore energy development.
According to the NOC, drilling operations are being carried out using a drillship owned by Italian energy services company Saipem.
Saipem’s participation brings advanced deepwater technical expertise to the project, which is regarded as one of the most technically demanding offshore operations undertaken in Libyan waters to date.
The exploration well is located in Contract Area 38/3 in the Gulf of Sirte, in water depths of approximately 1,900 meters.
Drilling is expected to reach a total depth of around 4,500 meters, as partners work to evaluate the area’s hydrocarbon potential and determine prospects for future offshore development.
The project signals renewed momentum in Libya’s offshore exploration sector and reflects growing interest by international energy companies in unlocking deepwater resources that could support the country’s long-term oil and gas production goals.
