Algiers – Algeria’s national oil company, Sonatrach, has been instrumental in a significant oil discovery in Libya during 2025, solidifying its position as a key player in the region’s energy sector. The find places Libya among the top three largest oil discoveries in the Arab world for the year, alongside Iraq and Kuwait.
The discovery, made in Libya’s Ghadames Basin at well A1-2/65, is estimated to hold approximately 122 million barrels of oil and 47 billion cubic feet of gas. This substantial find ranks as one of the most important oil discoveries in the Arab world in 2025, securing its position as the third largest.
Iraq Leads with Exceptional Find
According to recent data, Iraq leads the list of major Arab oil discoveries in 2025 following the announcement of significant reserve additions to the East Baghdad field. The find, spearheaded by the Middle Oil Company in partnership with China’s ‘EPS’, boosted the field’s reserves by an estimated two billion barrels, increasing the total from 13 billion to 15 billion barrels.
Kuwait Secures Second Place
Kuwait secured second place with the discovery of the Al-Jalilah offshore field, announced earlier in 2025. This represents the largest marine discovery in the country’s history and opens new horizons for exploration within the Upper Cretaceous period.
Boosting Libyan Production
The Sonatrach-led discovery in Libya is seen as a crucial development for the country’s energy sector, supporting efforts to increase oil production to two million barrels per day by 2030. This development coincides with Libya’s plans to revitalize investments through the launch of its first exploration licensing round since 2007. This gives the Sonatrach discovery a strategic importance that goes beyond recorded numbers.
