Italy’s Eni has uncovered over 1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas offshore Libya, boosting Europe’s efforts to secure nearby alternative energy sources.
The discovery was made at two close sites, Bahr Essalam South 2 and Bahr Essalam South 3, located roughly 85 kilometres off Libya’s coast in waters about 650 feet deep. Both wells found gas within the Metlaoui formation, a major producing layer in the Mediterranean.
According to Eni, initial findings point to a high-quality reservoir, with tests confirming the fields are capable of producing commercially viable volumes.
The new reserves lie just 16 kilometres from the Bahr Essalam field, Libya’s largest offshore gas asset, allowing for faster development by tying into existing infrastructure and reducing costs.
Output from the fields is expected to serve Libya’s domestic needs while also being exported to Italy, strengthening energy links as Europe reduces dependence on Russian supplies.
Libya’s National Oil Corporation estimates the fields could add about 130 million cubic feet of gas per day, helping ease supply constraints and support exports.
The announcement comes as Eni ramps up offshore exploration in Libya, where it has operated since 1959 and remains the country’s biggest foreign energy producer, with output of around 162,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2025.
The company is also progressing three development projects in the country, with two expected to begin production in 2026.
Earlier this year, Eni secured a new offshore exploration block spanning nearly 29,000 square kilometres in the Sirte Basin, one of North Africa’s most productive hydrocarbon regions.
Through its joint venture Mellitah Oil & Gas with the National Oil Corporation, Eni plays a key role in Libya’s gas expansion strategy.
The partnership aims to increase production to 750 million cubic feet per day by 2026, reinforcing Libya’s role as a major supplier to Europe, particularly Italy via the Greenstream pipeline.
The shift is already influencing trade patterns. In 2025, Libya became Italy’s largest crude oil supplier, accounting for nearly a quarter of its imports, aided by shorter shipping distances and lower transport costs.
The discovery also aligns with Eni’s broader Africa strategy, which combines exploration with selective asset sales. Recently, the company agreed to sell a 10% stake in Côte d’Ivoire’s Baleine field to SOCAR while retaining operational control.