European energy giant completes $1 billion project to turn wasted gas into usable energy in Africa’s largest oil reserve holder

Italian energy giant Eni, in partnership with Libya's National Oil Corporation (NOC) through Mellitah Oil and Gas, has completed an offshore gas recovery project at the Bouri field in western Libyan waters.

• Eni and Libya's NOC have completed an offshore gas recovery project at the Bouri field in western Libya.
• The project captures industrial gas previously flared during oil extraction and converts it into usable energy.
• The new facility can process up to 700 million cubic metres of gas a year, reducing greenhouse gas emissions by around 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 annually.
• Captured gas will supply local power stations in North Africa and support potential exports to Europe via the Greenstream pipeline.

The initiative focuses on capturing industrial gas produced during oil extraction that was previously burned off, transforming it into usable energy to fuel domestic power plants and lower environmental emissions.

Italy and Libya launch offshore gas recovery at Bouri field

The newly completed offshore installation captures associated natural gas during crude oil production.

According to The Libya Observer, the project features a production facility "with a capacity of up to 700 million cubic metres a year".

Eni confirmed that the newly installed infrastructure has entered its start-up phase and is connected directly to existing sea facilities.

As reported by The Libya Observer, the operation is specifically "designed to capture gas previously flared, helping supply power stations and reduce emissions".

In addition to increasing local energy supplies, the project "is expected to cut greenhouse gas emissions by the equivalent of about 1.5 million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year".

Strengthening energy supplies for Libya and exports to Italy and Europe

This offshore development builds on previous energy projects in the region, including the Sabratha compression venture at the nearby Bahr Essalam field.

As noted by The Libya Observer, "Together, the two projects could supply about 1.5 billion cubic metres of gas a year once they reach their targets".

The captured gas will help meet internal electricity demands across North Africa while supporting "potential exports to Europe through the Greenstream pipeline".

The initiative reflects a broader joint investment strategy where both Eni and the NOC have pledged $4 billion each to expand offshore energy infrastructure.