Libya has taken another step toward stabilising its long‑strained energy sector after Waha Oil Company successfully commissioned two new gas wells at the Faregh field, increasing domestic gas supply at a time of rising electricity demand.
The wells, known as BB‑19 and BB‑20, are now fully operational and are collectively producing 26 million cubic feet of natural gas per day, according to the company. The additional output is expected to directly support electricity generation and help reduce power shortages that have affected households and industry across the country.
Boosting domestic energy security
Libya holds Africa’s second‑largest proven oil reserves, yet years of conflict, underinvestment, and infrastructure disruption have left its power sector fragile. Gas production plays a critical role in electricity generation, particularly for facilities supplying urban centres and key industrial zones.
Waha Oil, a subsidiary of the state‑owned National Oil Corporation, said the completion of the two wells followed advanced drilling, testing, and commissioning processes carried out to international technical standards.
“The successful delivery of these wells reflects our continued focus on improving gas supply reliability and supporting national power generation,” the company said in a statement.
Strategic importance of the Faregh field
The Faregh field is located in Libya’s prolific Sirte Basin, a region that has historically underpinned the country’s oil and gas output. Discovered in the early 1960s, the field has undergone renewed development in recent years as Libya prioritises domestic gas over exports.
Following the latest additions, total gas production at Faregh is estimated at around 150 million cubic feet per day, with the potential to rise to 250 million cubic feet per day as further development progresses, according to NOC figures.
Libya’s role in Africa’s gas landscape
Libya is currently the fourth‑largest natural gas producer in Africa, behind Algeria, Egypt, and Nigeria. Unlike its peers, however, most of Libya’s gas output is consumed domestically rather than exported, supplying power stations such as Sarir and feeding the coastal gas network.
The expansion at Faregh is therefore seen as a practical intervention aimed at easing electricity outages and supporting economic recovery, rather than a shift toward export‑led gas strategy.
Ownership and outlook
Waha Oil operates as a joint venture between the National Oil Corporation, TotalEnergies, and ConocoPhillips. The company remains one of Libya’s most important producers, playing a central role in the country’s oil and gas revival efforts.
As a member of OPEC, Libya has repeatedly signalled its intention to raise both oil and gas output to stabilise public finances, improve electricity access, and restore confidence in its energy infrastructure.
The successful commissioning of BB‑19 and BB‑20 signals steady, if incremental, progress — reinforcing gas as a cornerstone of Libya’s energy security strategy in 2026 and beyond.
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