Libya relaunches the Mabruk oil field and aims for economic recovery

After a decade of forced shutdown caused by conflict, Libya restarted production from the Mabruk oil field in March 2025, marking a turning point in its efforts to revitalise its oil sector. The National Oil Corporation (NOC) resumed operations with an initial production of 5,000 barrels per day, aiming to ramp up to 25,000 barrels by July 2025. This resumption symbolises a glimmer of hope for an economy more than 90% dependent on oil revenues.

Before its closure in 2015, the Mabruk field was a pillar of the Libyan oil industry. Years of internal conflict paralysed this strategic sector, drastically reducing national production and the country's market share. The reopening of Mabruk is part of a wider government plan to revive the economy, using oil revenues to finance the national budget and infrastructure projects.

"This restart is a strong signal of our commitment to stabilising and strengthening our oil industry", said an NOC spokesperson. With modest production to start with, the aim is to gradually increase volumes, while sending a message of confidence to foreign investors.

The NOC has no intention of stopping at Mabruk. The company plans to extend production to other regional fields, with the stated ambition of increasing national capacity to 2 million barrels per day over the next few years. If achieved, this target would transform Libya's economic situation, offering a breath of fresh air to a country weakened by years of instability. However, many challenges remain.

Rebuilding the oil infrastructure, which has been severely damaged by conflict, is a major challenge. The NOC plans to invest heavily in modernising facilities, but lack of funding and security uncertainties could put the brakes on these efforts. While the Mabruk area has been secured by the armed forces, other oil regions remain exposed to attacks by armed groups, jeopardising the continuity of production.

Political instability is another obstacle. The success of this recovery will depend on the government's ability to maintain a climate of stability, which is essential for attracting international partners and guaranteeing sustainable progress.

The reopening of Mabruk is an encouraging step, but the full renaissance of Libya's oil sector will take time and rigorous management of the current challenges. Between modernising infrastructure, securing sites and resolving financial constraints, there is still a long way to go. However, this revival does offer some grounds for optimism, with the prospect of gradual economic stabilisation.

By consolidating its efforts, Libya could not only regain its place on the world oil market, but also build a more resilient sector capable of supporting ambitious national reconstruction.