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Spain’s Repsol reactivates 12 new wells in Libya as oil sector rebounds

The company plans to bring more wells online in the coming months
Oil refinery and petrochemical plant
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Spanish oil firm, Repsol, has ramped up its oil production in Libya with the reactivation of 12 new wells in the first six months of 2025 as the country witnesses an uptick in drilling activity.

This was revealed by Repsol’s CEO José Ángel Fernández, who attributed the development to the improving political situation in the country following years of conflict. 

“I believe Libya is improving socially, politically, and in terms of security. Its situation is progressing year by year,” Fernández said.

He noted that production from the company’s joint projects reached 307,000 bpd in the second quarter of 2025.

Repsol’s net share of this production amounted to 43,000 bpd, attributing this to increased output in 2024 thanks to new wells. 

The company plans to bring more wells online in the coming months, which could potentially add a total of 12,000 bpd to overall output. 

“We’ll see more new wells in the coming months. Overall production will increase by 12,000 barrels per day, with Repsol’s share being 1,500 to 2,000 barrels,” Fernandez added. 

He also mentioned that the company has contracted a second drilling rig to not only meet exploration commitments but also further development in Libya, particularly in the Waha area.

Repsol’s global average daily production stood at  557,000 bpd in the second quarter of 2025. That is a 3% increase from the first quarter.

Outside Libya, the increase was also contributed to by its operations from the UK, Trinidad and Tobago, and Eagle Ford. 

Many oil fields are resuming operations across Libya

Libya’s oil sector is seeing a comeback following the 2011 civil war that eventually led to the murder of Libya’s controversial leader Muammar Gaddafi. 

Big oil companies had fled the oil-rich nation as energy assets and installations became the substance of war. They suspended exploration activities and abandoned large-scale oil projects.

The country that once accounted for over 15% of Africa’s total crude output was struggling to even pump 800,000 bpd. 

However, years later the security situation has eased, prompting the return of many of the global majors like BP, TotalEnergies, Eni, OMV, Shell and Repsol. 

Besides Repsol which has reactivated several idle oil and gas blocks, the state-owned oil company NOC has also reported significant output additions.

NOC says Libya currently produces between 1.3 and 1.4 million bpd, just behind Nigeria. 

The company has already resumed production at key fields across the country. The government has even set an ambitious target of 2 million bpd before 2030. 

Moreover, Libya’s recently launched oil and gas licensing round—the first in over 17 years—has attracted over 30 local and international companies. 

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