KEY POINTS
- Sharara output targeted to rise to 355,000 bpd by mid-2027.
- NOC and Akakus prioritise field upgrades and maintenance.
- Safety and fire-protection projects will be accelerated.
Libya’s National Oil Corporation, NOC, and Akakus Oil Operations are working on plans to increase crude oil production at the Sharara Oil Field from about 335,000 barrels per day to 355,000 barrels per day by mid-2027.
The proposed increase is part of broader efforts to strengthen Libya’s oil production capacity, improve field operations and support the country’s target of raising overall crude output.
The NOC and Akakus discussed the production target during a meeting in Tripoli focused on the company’s operational and financial performance and its plans for the coming period.
The proposed increase of about 20,000 barrels per day would further strengthen Sharara’s contribution to Libya’s crude oil production.
To achieve the target, both sides agreed on a series of operational priorities, including maintaining current production levels, improving efficiency and advancing projects designed to enhance the field’s long-term output.
The discussions also covered the need to ensure that planned maintenance and development activities are completed within approved budgets.
Focus on field development and infrastructure
A major part of the strategy involves advancing Sharara’s reservoir development plan and upgrading surface facilities.
The reservoir development programme is expected to help Akakus identify opportunities to sustain and potentially increase production from the field, while improvements to surface infrastructure could enhance the efficiency and reliability of oil-handling operations.
The NOC and Akakus also agreed to accelerate approved maintenance work and improve the readiness of facilities supporting production.
These measures are important because sustaining higher production requires not only drilling and reservoir management but also reliable infrastructure for processing and transporting crude. Safety and fire protection were also identified as major priorities for the coming year.
The NOC praised Akakus for its response to a fire that broke out on the main 30-inch export pipeline in March.
According to the NOC, Akakus acted quickly to contain the incident, helping to protect operations and maintain the continuity of oil exports.
The incident highlighted the importance of strengthening emergency response systems and investing in fire-prevention and protection infrastructure across Libya’s oil facilities.
As part of the next phase of work, the two sides agreed to accelerate safety and fire-protection projects at the Sharara operation.
Sharara is one of Libya’s key oil-producing fields, making efforts to maintain and increase its output important to the country’s broader production ambitions.
The planned increase to 355,000 barrels per day comes as the NOC continues to pursue higher national crude production.
The corporation has set ambitious targets for increasing Libya’s overall oil output, with additional investment in fields, drilling, maintenance and infrastructure expected to play a central role.
Higher production from Sharara would therefore contribute to the NOC’s wider strategy of expanding national oil output and strengthening government revenues from the petroleum sector. The meeting also placed emphasis on maintaining operational efficiency as production is increased.
Akakus will be expected to balance higher output with continued maintenance, safety improvements and upgrades to field infrastructure.
The company’s ability to sustain production will depend on the reliability of equipment, the condition of pipelines and surface facilities, reservoir performance and the timely completion of approved development projects.
The NOC and Akakus therefore agreed that production growth should be accompanied by improvements in operational standards and field management.
The planned increase from 335,000 bpd to 355,000 bpd represents a targeted expansion of Sharara’s production capacity by roughly 6%.
Achieving the goal by mid-2027 will depend on the successful implementation of the reservoir development programme, infrastructure upgrades, maintenance activities and safety projects.
For Libya, the additional barrels could provide a boost to crude exports and strengthen the country’s position as it seeks to expand oil production and maximise revenues from its energy resources.
