Global oil and gas drilling contractor Nabors announced plans to add a third drilling rig to the Waha oil field in Libya’s Sirte Basin, underscoring its commitment to boosting operations in the region.
The new rig, expected to begin operations in the coming weeks, will complement the two rigs currently active in the field.
The announcement was made by Tyson Seeliger, Vice President of Eastern Hemisphere Operations for Nabors, during the U.S.-Libya Roundtable held at the 2025 Libya Energy & Economic Summit. Seeliger expressed optimism about the expansion, stating, “We hope to start putting boots on the ground. Right now, we have two drilling rigs in Waha, with the third about to start, and we look forward to what’s coming in the future.”
In addition to the developments in the energy sector, Jeremy Berndt, Chargé d’Affaires of the U.S. Embassy in Libya, shared exciting news about diplomatic efforts between the two nations. Berndt revealed that the U.S. is moving closer to opening a new embassy in Tripoli, Libya’s capital. Currently based in Tunis, the U.S. embassy has been working with both the U.S. State Department and Libyan authorities to identify suitable properties.
“We’ve been working steadily to increase our visits, and I’m really proud of the work our team has done,” Berndt said. “Last month, we took the important step of signing leases for properties, and in the coming months, we hope to become fully operational in Libya.”
The U.S.-Libya Business Association (USLBA) Executive Director, Lydia Jabs, also addressed the importance of Libya as a key energy partner. Jabs emphasized the growing role of Libya in global energy security and expressed confidence that the next U.S. administration would continue to prioritize the country’s potential in the energy sector.
“I expect the next administration will see Libya as a key partner in global energy security, and we hope to see continued support from our partners in the country,” she said.
Vice President of the American Chamber of Commerce in Libya, Ahmed Al-Ghazali, encouraged U.S. companies to enter the Libyan market and collaborate with local firms. He emphasized the critical need for knowledge transfer to enable Libyan companies to drive socioeconomic development, particularly in the energy sector.
Meanwhile, energy majors ConocoPhillips and TotalEnergies continue to play a significant role in Libya’s oil and gas industry. ConocoPhillips President for Libya, Dag Sanner, announced that the company is in discussions with Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) about further investments in the sector.
Last year, ConocoPhillips and its partners in the Waha oil field successfully requested contract extensions with the NOC, along with an increase in profit margins.
Global technology company SLB also participated in the roundtable, highlighting its plans to support Libya’s ambitions of increasing oil production.
The NOC has set a target of reaching 2 million barrels of oil per day by 2027, and SLB aims to contribute to achieving that goal through technological advancements and innovation.
The discussions at the summit underscored a growing collaboration between the U.S. and Libya, particularly in the energy sector, with significant investments and partnerships poised to enhance Libya’s role in global energy markets in the years ahead.