Libya Strengthens US Partnerships to Support Energy Sector Growth

Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) is expanding collaboration with United States-based organisations as part of a broader strategy to modernise the country’s energy sector, strengthen technical expertise and increase oil production.

Within days, the state-owned company signed separate agreements with global oilfield services provider SLB and the Project Management Institute (PMI). Together, the partnerships reflect NOC’s efforts to address both the technological and workforce challenges facing Libya’s oil industry as it pursues ambitious production targets.

The agreement with PMI focuses on workforce development and institutional capacity building. Through the partnership, NOC employees will gain access to internationally recognised training programmes and professional certifications aimed at improving project management and execution across the organisation.

NOC Chairman Masoud Suleiman described the initiative as one of the first programmes launched through the corporation’s new Technical and Administrative Development Centre. The partnership is expected to help develop a new generation of energy professionals capable of managing increasingly complex infrastructure and investment projects.

The PMI agreement follows a separate collaboration with SLB, one of the world’s leading oilfield technology companies. The partnership is designed to support technological advancement within Libya’s upstream sector through advanced drilling, reservoir management and production optimisation solutions.

Together, the agreements highlight a dual-track approach to sector development, combining technology deployment with human capital investment to improve long-term operational performance.
The partnerships come as Libya’s energy sector gains momentum following years of political instability, operational disruptions and underinvestment. Earlier this year, the country launched its first oil and gas licensing round in 17 years, attracting interest from international energy companies seeking opportunities in one of Africa’s most resource-rich hydrocarbon provinces.

Libya also approved its first unified national budget in more than a decade, allocating approximately US$1.9 billion to support NOC’s operations and investment programmes.

Operational performance has continued to improve. In May, NOC reported approximately $4 billion in hydrocarbon export revenues, its strongest monthly result in a decade. Oil production reached around 1.43 million barrels per day in April, the highest level recorded in ten years.
Despite these gains, challenges remain. Funding constraints and outstanding payments to contractors continue to affect the pace of expansion. However, NOC remains committed to increasing production to 1.6 million barrels per day by the end of 2026 and ultimately reaching 2 million barrels per day by 2030.

By investing in technology, skills development and institutional capacity, Libya is positioning its energy sector for sustained growth while strengthening its role as a major oil producer in Africa.