The Exploration Department of the National Oil Corporation (NOC) held in-depth discussions with Sonatrach Algeria’s Libya branch to review the company’s exploration activities for 2024 and outline their proposed operations for 2025 in the Ghadames Basin, specifically focusing on Blocks 95 and 96.
The technical meeting, held at the NOC headquarters in Tripoli, addressed the progress of ongoing preparations to resume drilling at the A1-96/2 exploratory well, which has been inactive since 2014 due to various operational challenges. Participants reviewed the logistical and technical steps required to safely restart operations, emphasizing the importance of efficient timelines and resource allocation. The restart is expected to begin in the near future as part of the NOC’s commitment to boosting exploration activities and production capacity in strategic areas.
The meeting also included detailed discussions on the interpretation of seismic survey data and the evaluation of identified prospects within Blocks 95 and 96. The experts assessed the viability of these prospects and their readiness for drilling, highlighting the potential to enhance Libya’s exploration portfolio by prioritizing promising targets.
Key attendees included the Acting Director of NOC’s Exploration Department, the General Manager of Sonatrach’s Libya branch, his deputy, Sonatrach’s Exploration Manager, and several specialists from both organizations. The meeting underscored the importance of collaborative decision-making and data-sharing between the stakeholders to ensure project success.
In addition, experts from Oil India, Sonatrach’s joint venture partner in the Ghadames Basin projects, participated via video conference, contributing insights on the technical evaluations and operational strategies. Oil India’s involvement underscores the international nature of the exploration initiative and its strategic relevance to regional energy development.
The NOC reiterated its commitment to fostering partnerships that contribute to Libya’s energy sector growth, with the resumption of activities in the Ghadames Basin seen as a pivotal step toward achieving the nation’s exploration and production goals. The collaboration with Sonatrach and Oil India aims to leverage shared expertise to overcome operational challenges and ensure the successful execution of the proposed exploration and drilling operations in the upcoming phases.
