Libya's high stakes
Freeing NOC of political interference is essential if the country and its oil sector are to prosper in 2018
In 2018, after years of trying, political opportunists will finally succeed in capturing the National Oil Corporation (NOC). Investment and oil production will plunge, the Libyan economy will collapse, and the political chaos and increasing criminalisation we have seen in Libya over the past few years will seem trivial compared with the human catastrophe that will unfold. That's the nightmare scenario—and it is not far-fetched. Both 2016 and 2017 demonstrated one fact clearly: all Libyans depend on NOC's oil production, but some are trying to grab a larger piece of the pie for themselves. Libya's oil sector faces the general challenge of operating in a divided political environment and an un
Also in this section
24 December 2025
As activity in the US Gulf has stagnated at a lower level, the government is taking steps to encourage fresh exploration and bolster field development work
23 December 2025
The new government has brought stability and security to the country, with the door now open to international investment
23 December 2025
A third wave of LNG supply is coming, and with it a likely oversupply of the fuel by 2028
22 December 2025
Weakening climate resolve in the developed world and rapidly growing demand in developing countries means peak oil is still a long way away
