Libya’s slow but steady return to the global energy stage is gaining fresh momentum, as several state-backed energy giants confirm their participation in the Libya Energy & Economic Summit (LEES) 2026 in Tripoli.
Executives from Turkey’s TPAO, Hungary’s MOL Plc., and Poland’s ORLEN Group will join the summit in January, signaling renewed confidence in Libya’s upstream sector as the country works to reopen investment opportunities and expand production capacity.
Scheduled for January 24–26, 2026, LEES will bring together policymakers, national oil companies and international investors at a time when Libya is pushing to strengthen its energy infrastructure and revive exploration activity. The event is held under the theme “Infrastructure & Investment Driving Energy Growth” and is backed by the Office of the Prime Minister, the Ministry of Oil and Gas, and the National Oil Corporation (NOC).
Among the most active players is Turkey’s national oil company, TPAO, which has steadily deepened its engagement in Libya. In mid-2025, the company signed an offshore exploration agreement with the NOC covering geological and geophysical studies across four offshore areas. The deal includes a large-scale seismic survey and follows TPAO’s qualification as an operator under Libya’s latest licensing round. With Libya reopening its upstream sector, the company has signaled readiness to deploy both capital and technical expertise.
Poland’s ORLEN Group is also expanding its footprint, building on improved operating conditions after years of disruption. Through its subsidiary, PGNiG Upstream North Africa, the company resumed exploration preparations in 2025 after force majeure was lifted. ORLEN operates the EPL 113 concession in the Murzuq Basin and has been working with the NOC and Zallaf Oil and Gas on production planning, gas infrastructure development and broader technical cooperation. The company is also evaluating additional upstream opportunities as Libya targets higher output levels.
Hungary’s MOL Plc. will also feature at the summit following its qualification in Libya’s first international licensing round in nearly 20 years. For MOL, the move supports its strategy to diversify supply sources and strengthen its international upstream portfolio, positioning Libya as a potential long-term growth market.
According to James Chester, CEO of Energy Capital & Power, the participation of these national energy champions reflects a shift in sentiment around Libya’s energy future. “Their long-term outlook, institutional backing and operational experience will play an important role in supporting sustainable investment and production growth,” he said.
As Libya works to stabilize its energy sector and attract long-term partners, LEES 2026 is shaping up as a key platform for dialogue, deal-making and renewed confidence. For many in the industry, it signals that Libya’s energy story, long disrupted by uncertainty, is once again moving forward.
