The National Oil Corporation (NOC) has reaffirmed its continuation of the 2025 upstream exploration public tender, confirming that preparations are under way to activate the virtual data room following a strong response from international applicants.
The bid round, the first of its kind in over 15 years, marks a pivotal step for Libya’s upstream development and move forward in the NOC’s commitment to revitalise exploration and production under a more modern and investor-balanced contractual framework.
Participation and Qualification
According to NOC’s latest statement, a total of 43 companies and one consortium applied during the initial stage of the tender, following a series of international outreach events.
After detailed technical and financial assessments, 29 companies qualified as Operators and 8 as Investors. The qualified Operators include:
BP Exploration Libya Limited, Chevron Business Development EMEA Ltd, CNODC Management B.V., DNO ASA, ExxonMobil, Eni North Africa B.V., Harbour Energy, Lukoil, OMV, QatarEnergy, TotalEnergies E&P, Shell International B.V., TPAO, Woodside (GOM) Inc, among others.
Investor-category qualifiers include Bares Holding SA, Cheiron Petroleum Corporation, Gran Tierra Energy, Indian Oil Company Limited, and Gulfsands Petroleum plc.
Framework and Timelines
Under the updated Exploration and Production Sharing Agreement (EPSA) model, the NOC has introduced a progressive two-tier cost-recovery mechanism designed to enhance commercial flexibility and investor returns.
Key procedural milestones include:
- 15 May 2025: Announcement of qualified bidders and signing of confidentiality agreements.
- 19 May – 17 July 2025: Virtual data room access for technical, legal and commercial review.
- 20 May – 14 August 2025: Clarifications and proposed amendments period.
- 28 August 2025: Issuance of approved EPSA modifications.
- 20 May – 14 November 2025: Bid preparation period.
- Week of 15 November 2025: Final bid submissions.
- 22 – 30 November 2025: EPSA contract signings.
While MEES reporting indicates potential timeline adjustments extending some activities into early 2026, the official framework and sequencing remain consistent with NOC’s May-August roadmap.
Operational Outlook
The activation of the virtual data room will allow qualified bidders to access comprehensive block data—spanning onshore and offshore prospects across Libya’s major basins, including Sirte, Ghadames, and Murzuq.
For the wider service ecosystem, this phase signals forthcoming demand in:
- Integrated logistics
transport coordination, staging, and mobilisation. - Security support
access control, site protection, and field-based continuity. - Local facilitation
liaison, permitting, and community engagement.
The renewed presence of super-majors and regional NOCs reflects regained confidence in Libya’s energy potential and reinforces the strategic role of operational service partners in sustaining safe, efficient field activity.
What It Means
For stakeholders in security, logistics, and business operations, the bid round represents a tangible shift toward reactivation of Libya’s upstream environment.
With 37 qualified entities and preparations for data-room access advancing, the coming months will define partnership opportunities across exploration, field development, and support services.
Companies positioned to offer reliability, mobility, and compliance-driven solutions will be instrumental in supporting Libya’s next chapter of energy growth.
As Libya’s upstream sector moves into its next phase of exploration, the window is open for logistics, security and operations-specialists who can deliver with precision and agility. EC remains ready to support partners in aligning readiness with opportunity across the country’s evolving energy horizon.