The Libyan National Oil Corporation (NOC) and Italian oil major Eni announced the completion of (Phase 2) of Bahr Essalam offshore gas project, a joint venture between the two companies operated by NOC subsidiary Mellitah Oil & Gas Company (MOG).

NOC said in a statement that production from the field’s ninth well began earlier this month, while work on the last well is currently in progress.

"The development of Libya’s ‘A’ and ‘E’ offshore structures was discussed at a meeting at the Presidency Council (PC) between the chairman of the PC, Mr Fayez al-Sarraj; NOC chairman, Eng. Mustafa Sanalla; and Eni’s CEO Mr Claudio Descalzi, following the approval of a field development and implementation plan in March of this year." NOC explained.

NOC added that the estimated total cost of the project is 5.6 billion dollars, with production expected to start in the third quarter of 2022 (‘A’) and 2024 (‘E’) respectively – adding 760 million MMSCFD and 35,000 barrels of condensate per day to production.

"Phase 2 of the project increases field production from 995 million standard cubic feet of gas per day (MMSCFD) to 1,100 million MMSCFD and completes the phased development of Libya’s largest offshore producing gas field." The statement reads.