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5 November 2026, London (The Energy Circle by IN-VR) - Poland's PGNiG-ORLEN is preparing to drill its third exploration well in Libya this November, the National Oil Corporation (NOC) announced on 3 November. The plan was outlined at the annual technical meeting between the NOC's Exploration Department and the Polish operator in Tripoli, held to assess progress on exploration and appraisal work across the company's acreage in the Murzuq Basin.
Annual technical review in Tripoli
The meeting was attended by the NOC's Exploration Director, the general manager and exploration director of PGNiG-ORLEN's Libya branch, technical specialists from both companies and representatives of the Petroleum Research Center. Discussions focused on the technical studies and projects completed to date, the exploration work still outstanding on the licence, and the company's proposed work programme and budget for 2027.
Area 113: a proven licence in the southwest
PGNiG-ORLEN, operating through its subsidiary ORLEN Upstream North Africa, holds Area 113, Blocks 1 and 2, in southwestern Libya. The licence covers approximately 5,500 km² near the Algerian border, on the boundary between the Murzuq and Ghadames basins. PGNiG secured the acreage in Libya's fourth licensing round in December 2007 and signed an Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement (EPSA) with the NOC in 2008. Its EPSA commitments include 1,500 km² of 3D seismic, 3,000 km of 2D seismic and eight wildcat wells.
The area has already delivered results. The company made two natural gas discoveries on the licence in 2013 and 2014, confirming the exploration potential of a basin better known for large oil fields such as El Sharara.
A return after years of disruption
Activity on Area 113 has been closely tied to Libya's security situation. PGNiG evacuated its foreign personnel in February 2011 at the outbreak of the conflict, later returned to exploration, and subsequently suspended operations again under force majeure. In March 2024, the company informed the NOC that it would lift force majeure and resume exploration from April 2024, as security conditions in the oil regions had stabilised. Since then, the NOC has reviewed the company's programme on a regular basis, including a technical meeting in November 2025 on its 2025 activities and plans for 2026.
Why it matters
The November well marks a further step in the revival of exploration in Libya, as the NOC works to bring international operators back to the field. ORLEN's renewed activity sits alongside expanded programmes by companies including Eni, BP, TPAO and MOL. A positive result in the Murzuq Basin would strengthen the case for gas development in Libya's southwest, at a time when the country is seeking new gas volumes to supply domestic power generation and support exports.
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