Libya’s state-owned National Oil Corporation (NOC) has restarted production at the Mabruk oilfield after a decade-long shutdown. Operations resumed on March 9, 2025, with an initial output of 5,000 barrels per day (bpd). NOC expects production to increase to 25,000 bpd by July.
“The Chairman and Board of Directors appreciate the efforts of Mabruk Oil Operations Co. and remain committed to sustainable growth,” NOC said in a statement.
Located 800 km east of Tripoli, Mabruk was a major oilfield before its closure in 2015 due to armed conflict. At its peak, it produced 34,000 bpd. Its reopening is part of efforts to revive Libya’s struggling oil sector.
Libya, one of Africa’s largest oil producers, has faced ongoing challenges since the fall of Muammar Gaddafi in 2011. Before the crisis, the country produced 1.8 million bpd. By 2023, this had fallen to 1.27 million bpd due to political instability and security threats.
In a bid to attract foreign investors, NOC’s Acting Chairman Masoud Sulaiman announced a new public bidding round for oil and gas exploration. This is Libya’s first such initiative in 17 years. The move aims to expand energy production despite ongoing political and security concerns.
The reopening of Mabruk is a positive step, but Libya’s oil industry still faces risks. Long-term success will depend on stability and investment in infrastructure.