Libya has attracted hydrocarbon exploration since 1956, when the first oil well was drilled onshore in the Sirte Basin. There were multiple concessions to Esso, Mobil, Texas Gulf and others, resulting in major oil discoveries, by 1959.
In the 1970s, Libya initiated a program under which the government either nationalized oil companies or became a participant in their concessions, production and transportation facilities. The National Oil Corporation (NOC) was established by Law No. 24 of 1970 to replace the General Libyan Petroleum Corporation
Oil and Gas E&P is carried out by the National Oil Corporation subsidiaries. These activities cover wide areas both onshore and offshore. The NOC has a grid of onshore oil, gas and product pipelines, crude oil export facilities and a gas pipeline.
The NOC is wholly owned by companies that explore, develop and produce oil and gas, in addition to internal and external marketing companies. It also has joint contracts with international companies specializing in these fields.
The NOC also has a group of companies to refine and manufacture oil and natural gas, which operates several refineries. The most important of which are Ras Al Anouf Refinery and Al Zawia Refinery, and a group of factories that produce ammonia, urea and methanol at the Brega petrochemical complex. These complexes also include a natural gas liquification plant, the ethylene plant and the polyethylene plant high density and low-density complex at Ras Lanuf.
The National Oil Corporation (NOC) also owns service companies that drill and maintain oil wells, provide all materials and tools used in drilling operations, supply, install and maintain oil and gas pipelines. Additionally, the NOC establish and maintain oil and gas reservoirs, conduct technical and economic studies, procurement of materials, equipment and training.
The National Oil Corporation (NOC) follows the Libyan Oil Institute, which conducts technical tests and tests for the stages of exploration and production of oil and its derivatives. The NOC also conducts quality control tests and issues certificates, evaluates patents of inventions and licenses, as well as local and international scientific publishing tools.
In the field of manpower development, the National Oil Corporation (NOC) supports the oil industry with national qualified standards. We are able to provide the formation of specialized and technical facilities for the operation and maintenance units through its institutes and centers, the most important of which is the Petroleum Institute for Rehabilitation and Training and the Qualified Training Center.
The current Chairman of the National Oil Corporation (NOC) is Mr. Farhat Ben Gdara , who was appointed on July 13, 2022.
The Libyan National Oil Corporation Houston Branch (LNOC) was inaugurated on 9 May 2019.which was announced by the Former Chairman of National Oil Corporation the Eng.Mustafa Sanalla in Houston on 02 Nov 2017.
Libyan NOC Houston Branch will support NOC to become a global leader as an integrated international energy Company. This will be achieved by assisting with the coordination, identification and evaluation of discovered and undeveloped NOC assets.
Strategic planning is of paramount importance to NOC and with Libyan NOC Houston Branch‘s support a structured organization will be created to execute timely and efficiently the plans which are jointly developed within Libyan NOC Houston Branch and NOC.
Continuously strive, through sustainable development and training, best in class professional procurement services by offering a competitive, responsive and quality product.
Our management and leadership embrace a safe working environment and in a truly collaborative approach with our clients, suppliers and service providers, we aim to deliver real value to the industry.
Mr. Farhat Ben Gdara was appointed as the Chairman of the Libyan National Oil Corporation (LNOC) on July 2022.
Mr. Ben Gdara has a 30-year track record in leading Libyan government entities and shaping government policies. He held the position of the Governor of the Central Bank of Libya (CBL)from 2006 until 2011. After the position of the Deputy Governor of the from 2000 to 2006, Among his achievements during this period were the development of the national banking system and the strengthening of the country’s inward investment conditions, both of which had a profound impact on the revival of the national economy.
Mr. Ben Gdara has also held several senior positions in major European and Asian organizations, including Chairman of the Arab Banking Corporation International Bank, Chairman of the Arab Bank for Investment and Foreign Trade, Vice Chairman of UniCredit Group, and Advisor to Standard Charted Bank for GCC and MENA.
This strong track record of running complex institutions was among the reasons for his appointment as Chairman of the LNOC, the country’s leading energy supplier and one of its largest employers.
As a former member of the Libyan Supreme Council for Oil and Energy between 2006 and 2011, Mr. Ben Gdara has a deep understanding of the country’s energy sector and its role in national productivity.
Since becoming Chairman, Mr. Ben Gdara has introduced a strategic plan to increase the production of oil and gas, enhance Libya’s competitiveness in the energy sector, and optimize partnerships, while looking ahead to the role the company can play in the global transition to renewable energy sources.
Mr. Ben Gdara holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and a Master of Arts degree in Economics of Money, Banking and Finance.
Mohamed E. Abdo Denbarno is the General Manager, Libyan National Oil Corporation Houston Branch, he earned a Bachelor of Arts in English Language degree from Benghazi University in Benghazi, Libya, in 1983.
Mr. Mohamed Denbarno has been associated in the Oil & Gas industry since 1986 and has been actively involved with the National Oil Corporation (NOC) of Libya during this period. He joined Ras Lanuf Oil & Gas Processing Company (RASCO), a subsidiary company of The NOC in 1986, where he held many roles including Purchasing Superintendent, Purchasing and Expediting Divisional Head and Material Analyst.
In May of 2009 Mr. Denbarno moved to Azzawiya Oil Refining Company, which is another subsidiary of the Libyan NOC, where he took up the position of Procurement Specialist. After taking on increased responsibility within the Procurement discipline, Mr. Denbarno was appointed as Manager of the Purchasing Department in 2016 and became actively involved as a Committee Member for Procurement, Logistics and Contracts.
Mr. Denbarno was appointed to the post of General Manager of Libyan NOC Houston Branch in Houston, Texas, USA, a subsidiary of National Oil Corporation (NOC), in July 2018 and amongst his many responsibilities will be the oversight and the establishment of the Houston office, which initially includes identification of manpower and recruitment, systems implementation and the Supplier Approval processes.
Several of our NOC subsidiary companies are specialized in the offshore sector where existing facilities including fixed platforms require upgrading, redevelopment and expansion.
The NOC has considerable onshore facilities and assets spreading across the energy sector, ranging from O&G, petroleum, liquification and refining.
Part of the future plans for the NOC and its subsidiaries will be to exploit the tremendous natural reserves which are available. This will be achieved through new technologies and on-going studies.
Modernization and upgrading of the existing pipelines is ongoing and the NOC will continue to identify priorities to enhance output.
All of our NOC subsidiary companies are operating existing facilities at various levels of capacity. New downstream facilities will need to be introduced to deal with the future demands of production which is part of the NOC’s vision.
A major business for the NOC is their lube and chemical facilities where the capacity is there to be increased along with overall output.