Libya’s Minister of Oil and Gas, Khalifa Abdulsadek, has outlined an ambitious roadmap to expand the country’s oil refining capacity and strengthen its position in the global energy market. The announcement was made during the Libya Energy and Economic Summit, where Abdulsadek emphasized the government’s commitment to energy security and sustainability.
The minister revealed plans to increase the country’s oil refining capacity from the current 300,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 400,000 bpd. This move is part of a long-term strategy to reduce reliance on imports and enhance local energy production. “Our ultimate goal is to achieve full self-sufficiency in refining petroleum products through domestic facilities,” Abdulsadek stated.
Looking further ahead, Libya aims to scale up its crude oil production to 2,000,000 bpd, a target that will be accompanied by increased production of refined petroleum products to meet rising domestic demand.
Focus on Natural Gas
Abdulsadek also highlighted Libya’s approach to natural gas, stressing the importance of balancing domestic needs with export opportunities. He pointed to the growing demand for natural gas to power electricity generation across the country, a priority that must be addressed to ensure energy stability.
“To maximize exports, we must first meet our local demand, which continues to grow. Europe is in urgent need of natural gas, making the Greenstream pipeline to Italy a critical asset,” he said. While Libya currently focuses on pipeline-based natural gas exports, the minister noted that liquefied natural gas (LNG) remains a potential area for future development.
Challenges Ahead
Despite the promising vision, Abdulsadek acknowledged the challenges facing Libya’s energy sector. Chief among these is the issue of financing, which he attributed to the nation’s ongoing political divisions. “The divided administration remains the biggest obstacle to securing the funds necessary to fully develop our energy sector,” he said, emphasizing the need for unified governance to unlock the sector’s potential.
The outlined strategy signals Libya’s determination to revitalize its energy industry, positioning the country as a reliable supplier in the global market while addressing critical domestic needs.