Libya signs offshore energy deal with Turkey amid escalating maritime dispute with Greece

Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Turkey’s state-run energy company,TPAO,allowing for extensive geological and geophysical studies in four offshore zones within Libyan waters.

The agreement includes a 2D seismic survey spanning 10,000 km,with full data analysis expected within nine months. The deal signifies deepening energy cooperation between Libya and Turkey and potentially lays the groundwork for future hydrocarbon exploration and development in the Mediterranean.

The MoU comes at a time of heightened tensions between Libya and Greece over contested maritime boundaries. Libya’s Government of National Unity recently summoned the Greek ambassador over Greece’s actions in disputed zones,shortly after Athens announced the deployment of naval warships near Libyan waters. Both Tripoli and the eastern-based Libyan authorities have strongly opposed Greece’s oil exploration tenders off Crete,maintaining that the maritime demarcation remains unresolved and infringes on Libyan sovereignty.