• National Oil Corporation (NOC) resumed production at the Mabruk field at 25,000–30,000 barrels per day (bpd) using an early production unit.

• Authorities target combined output of around 40,000 bpd from the Mabruk and Al-Jurf fields.

• Libya aims to raise national oil production to 1.6 million bpd by end-2026, backed by a $20 billion-plus development deal with TotalEnergies and ConocoPhillips.

Libya’s National Oil Corporation announced on March 1, the restart of the Mabruk oil field, located in central Libya. The state company said it achieved production between 25,000 and 30,000 barrels per day through an early production unit designed to accelerate the site’s ramp-up.

The restart follows an earlier resumption in March 2025, when output reached about 5,000 bpd and marked the end of a decade-long shutdown. Armed attackers forced the field offline in 2015 after they caused major infrastructure damage, when production stood at around 34,000 bpd.

At the time, the NOC estimated material losses at $575 million. The company subsequently launched rehabilitation works to enable a gradual restart of operations. The newly announced phase now aims to stabilize flows at a significantly higher level. In parallel, the NOC targets combined production of around 40,000 bpd from the Mabruk and Al-Jurf fields.

Third Energy Site Restart in Recent Weeks

The Mabruk restart marks the third energy facility relaunch announced in Libya within a month. On Feb. 9, the Al-Sarir refinery, operated by Arabian Gulf Oil Company (AGOCO), returned to full capacity after maintenance work on its distillation unit.

Weeks later, authorities also announced the restart of the Sinawen field after technical operations restored its production capacity. The field had remained offline for more than three and a half years.

Libya Accelerates Production Ambitions

Libya aims to increase crude output to 1.6 million bpd by the end of 2026, according to statements by the country’s oil and gas minister reported by Agence Ecofin. The minister said Libya currently produces around 1.375 million bpd. He added that the country will depend on new investments and infrastructure rehabilitation to reach the target.

In that context, Libya signed a 25-year development agreement in late January with TotalEnergies and ConocoPhillips, according to Reuters. The agreement covers concessions operated by Waha Oil Company, a subsidiary of the National Oil Corporation.

The Libyan government said the commitment provides for more than $20 billion in investments to increase production capacity in the relevant perimeter. Authorities estimate that output from the Waha concessions could reach 850,000 bpd, compared with a current level between 340,000 and 400,000 bpd.

This article was initially published in French by Abdel-Latif Boureima

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum