Libya: Second licensing round awarded

ASIAN AND EUROPEAN companies were the main winners in Libya's second licensing round in recent times, the results of which were announced last month. The authorities awarded 23 contract areas, covering 40 blocks, out of the 26 contract areas on offer – but only one US firm, ExxonMobil, was successful. Italy's Eni won the largest number of contract areas, with four – three in the Murzuq basin (Areas 161 - Block 1, 161 - Blocks 2 and 4, and 176 - Block 3) and one in the Kufra basin (Area 186 - Blocks 1, 2, 3 and 4). Four ventures each won two areas – Statoil took Area 94 - Blocks 1, 2, 3 and 4 in the offshore part of the Cyrenaica basin and, in partnership with BG, Area 171 - Blocks 1, 2, 3 an