Oil and economic expert Abdulmonem Al-Shalwi has written an article describing the ongoing developments at the Bouri offshore field as a landmark transformation in Libya’s oil and gas sector, marking a shift toward sustainability and emissions reduction.
He explains that the project to utilize associated gas from the Bouri Oil Field, implemented by Mellitah Oil & Gas in partnership with the National Oil Corporation, represents one of the most important technical and environmental developments in Libya’s hydrocarbon industry in recent years.
The recent announcement by Italian engineering firm Saipem regarding the completion and installation of a gas recovery and processing unit is not merely an engineering achievement, Al-Shalwi argues, but a structural shift in how Libya manages its hydrocarbon resources—particularly associated gas, which for decades has been routinely flared.
The project aims to capture associated gas and transport it to the Mellitah complex, where it can be processed for domestic use or export. According to the article, this represents a strategic economic move, as global energy markets increasingly value not only production volumes but also environmental performance and emissions reduction.
Al-Shalwi highlights that the Bouri project aligns closely with the concept of “Zero Flaring”, a global energy policy objective aimed at eliminating routine gas flaring. This approach has become a key benchmark in modern energy governance, especially as countries respond to climate change pressures and international environmental commitments.
He notes that both the National Oil Corporation and Mellitah Oil & Gas are moving more decisively toward this direction, not only through offshore infrastructure upgrades but also by improving efficiency in resource utilization and maximizing the value of associated gas.
The article argues that Libya has the technical capacity and hydrocarbon reserves needed to become a significant player in the regional and Mediterranean gas market. However, the real challenge lies in developing projects that align with global environmental standards while ensuring long-term value creation for the national economy.
Al-Shalwi also references his previous involvement in early initiatives related to emissions reduction in Libya’s oil sector, noting that what was once a theoretical ambition is now gradually becoming an operational reality.
He concludes that the success of such projects should not be seen only as a technical achievement for international contractors, but as a national milestone for Libya’s energy institutions and skilled workforce. According to him, the Bouri project symbolizes a broader transition: from simply producing oil and gas to producing them in a more responsible and sustainable way.
Ultimately, he describes the project as a signal that Libya is entering a new energy era—one in which previously wasted gas is transformed into an economic asset that supports development and strengthens the country’s position in the global energy transition.
