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The Chairman of Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC), Engr. Masoud Suleiman, has called on Schlumberger Middle East (SLB), one of the world’s leading oilfield service companies, to establish branches of its major factories in Libya. The request includes facilities for manufacturing essential oil and gas equipment such as pumps, wellheads, and other critical components.
Engr. Suleiman made the appeal during a high-level meeting held on Tuesday morning in London. He was joined by the Chairman of the Arabian Gulf Oil Company (AGOCO), Mr. Mohamed Ben Shatwan. They met with Mr. José Lamaza, Executive Director of SLB, and Mr. Gökhan Yaram, Head of Integrated Services at SLB.
According to an official statement published on the NOC’s verified Facebook page, the discussions focused on how Schlumberger could expand its operations in Libya to support the country’s oil sector recovery and growth. The talks also highlighted Libya’s strong interest in local content development, job creation, and the training of young professionals to drive the future of the oil and gas industry.
Suleiman stressed that the NOC trusts SLB’s capacity not only to provide top-tier oilfield services but also to support the development of a qualified Libyan workforce. He said the corporation is committed to localising oil industry services and wants SLB to play a major role in that process.
“The National Oil Corporation invites Schlumberger to open factory branches inside Libya. This will help reduce dependence on imports, create jobs, save time and money, and build a strong local supply chain,” Suleiman said during the meeting.
He further explained that establishing manufacturing plants within Libya would significantly contribute to building the capacity of the private sector while offering employment opportunities to the country’s youth. He pointed out that locally manufactured equipment would not only meet domestic demand but would also allow for faster service delivery across oilfields in different regions.
The meeting also focused on Libya’s ongoing strategy to increase crude oil production and end gas flaring at various oilfields. Suleiman urged SLB to assist in conducting technical studies to find environmentally friendly ways of using gases currently being flared. He said this would support Libya’s ambition to achieve “zero flaring”, a goal that would help protect the environment and improve the country’s image globally.
He also highlighted the importance of having more Libyan professionals in top and technical roles within multinational companies like SLB. According to him, boosting the number of Libyans in key positions will strengthen national participation and help build a globally competitive oil sector.
SLB’s top executives, in response, assured the NOC delegation that the company is committed to working closely with Libya to support the local oil sector. They pledged to explore ways to increase their presence and investment in the country and to support skills transfer and sustainable development.
Suleiman reiterated that the NOC is prioritising partnerships that can contribute to long-term development, especially as the sector prepares for a new round of oil exploration. The next exploration phase, according to him, is expected to be announced before the end of 2025. For this to succeed, he said, Libya must ensure the availability of technical expertise, equipment, and robust oil services.
The NOC is currently working to reposition Libya as a competitive player in the global oil and gas market. Despite years of political instability and infrastructural damage, the country still holds Africa’s largest proven crude oil reserves and is pushing to recover lost production volumes.
Analysts say the NOC’s plan to involve major companies like Schlumberger in local operations could mark a significant turning point for Libya. It could boost technology transfer, create industrial value chains, and help stabilise the economy by diversifying job opportunities beyond public employment.
The Arabian Gulf Oil Company, which is one of the largest NOC subsidiaries, also stands to benefit from this expanded cooperation. AGOCO operates major fields in eastern Libya, including Sarir and Messla, and would be a key beneficiary of locally manufactured oil equipment.
The partnership, if successful, could also influence other oil-rich nations in North Africa and the Middle East to push for similar collaborations with global service companies. Experts believe Libya must now back these plans with strong policy support, regulatory clarity, and improved security to attract long-term foreign investment.
