Natural resources of Libya
Oil, gas, minerals, forests and water in Libya: what it produces, how it ranks in the world, who mines it and what it earns. Every figure is from an official source and is updated when the source is.
Resource rents, share of GDP (2021)
61.0 %
Resources, share of goods exports (2024)
96.4 %
Crude oil, barrels a day (2025)
1,363,041
Natural gas, billion cubic metres (2024)
12.1
Source: World Bank; UN Comtrade; U.S. Energy Information Administration. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Oil, gas and coal
Libya produced about 1,363,041 barrels of crude oil a day in 2025. Proved oil reserves were 48.4 billion barrels in 2021. It produced 12.1 billion cubic metres of natural gas in 2024, and exported 1.4 billion. Proved gas reserves were 1.5 trillion cubic metres in 2021.
View the data as a table
| Period | Crude oil |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 1,710 |
| 2011 | 485 |
| 2012 | 1,432 |
| 2013 | 978 |
| 2014 | 530 |
| 2015 | 464 |
| 2016 | 445 |
| 2017 | 879 |
| 2018 | 1,027 |
| 2019 | 1,169 |
| 2020 | 408 |
| 2021 | 1,238 |
| 2022 | 1,058 |
| 2023 | 1,225 |
| 2024 | 1,163 |
| 2025 | 1,363 |
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, International Energy Data. Last checked 24 October 2026.
View the data as a table
| Period | Production | Exports |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 16.8 | 9.9 |
| 2011 | 7.4 | 3.2 |
| 2012 | 16.1 | 6.5 |
| 2013 | 16.7 | 5.7 |
| 2014 | 16.6 | 6.5 |
| 2015 | 15.3 | 7.1 |
| 2016 | 17.8 | 4.8 |
| 2017 | 18.6 | 4.6 |
| 2018 | 16.9 | 4.5 |
| 2019 | 14.9 | 5.7 |
| 2020 | 10.7 | 4.5 |
| 2021 | 12.6 | 3.2 |
| 2022 | 12.2 | 2.6 |
| 2023 | 11.4 | 2.5 |
| 2024 | 12.1 | 1.4 |
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, International Energy Data. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Mining and minerals
The U.S. Geological Survey records 20 mineral commodities with published production in Libya between 2017 and 2021, from metals and gemstones to industrial minerals and fuels. The table includes processed products such as cement and steel, which USGS reports alongside raw minerals.
Showing 20 of 20
| Direct-reduced iron | Metals | Not published | 562 | 612 | 880 | 796 | 861 | Not published |
| Raw steel | Metals | Not published | 485 | 396 | 606 | 495 | 662 | Not published |
| Cement, hydraulic | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 4,500 | 4,500 | 3,600 | 3,100 | 4,100 | 2019: r; 2020: e; 2021: e |
| Gypsum, mine | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 225 | 225 | 210 | 200 | 250 | Not published |
| Lime | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 240 | 220 | 330 | 300 | 330 | Not published |
| Ammonia | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 205 | 177 | 90 | 25 | 25 | 2019: r; 2021: e |
| Urea | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 118 | 120 | 30 | 20 | 50 | 2019: r, e; 2020: e; 2021: e |
| Salt | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 40 | 50 | 100 | 200 | 200 | Not published |
| Sulfur, byproduct, natural gas and petroleum, S content | Industrial Minerals | Not published | 133 | 130 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 2018: r, e; 2019: r, e; 2020: e; 2021: e |
| Methanol | Mineral Fuels And Related Materials | Not published | 130 | 30 | 100 | 100 | 100 | 2018: r, e; 2019: r, e; 2020: e; 2021: e |
| Gross | Mineral Fuels And Related Materials | million cubic meters | 24,513 | 24,167 | 18,600 | 14,600 | 17,900 | 2019: r |
| Dry basis | Mineral Fuels And Related Materials | million cubic meters | 13,600 | 13,200 | 13,500 | 12,100 | 12,400 | 2017: r; 2018: r; 2019: r |
| Crude | Mineral Fuels And Related Materials | thousand 42-gallon barrels | 332,000 | 418,000 | 438,000 | 150,000 | 449,000 | 2017: r; 2018: r; 2019: r |
| Natural gas liquids | Mineral Fuels And Related Materials | thousand 42-gallon barrels | 7,300 | 7,665 | 9,855 | 5,490 | 14,600 | Not published |
| Distillate fuel oil | Mineral Fuels And Related Materials | thousand 42-gallon barrels | 6,935 | 5,110 | 3,650 | 4,026 | 6,935 | 2017: r; 2018: r; 2019: r |
| Gasoline | Mineral Fuels And Related Materials | thousand 42-gallon barrels | 2,920 | 1,825 | 1,095 | 1,095 | 2,190 | 2017: r; 2018: r; 2019: r |
| Kerosene, including jet fuel | Mineral Fuels And Related Materials | thousand 42-gallon barrels | 3,285 | 2,190 | 1,460 | 1,464 | 2,555 | 2017: r; 2018: r; 2019: r |
| Residual fuel oil | Mineral Fuels And Related Materials | thousand 42-gallon barrels | 8,030 | 5,475 | 3,650 | 4,026 | 6,570 | 2017: r; 2018: r; 2019: r |
| Other | Mineral Fuels And Related Materials | thousand 42-gallon barrels | 12,775 | 19,710 | 17,885 | 18,666 | 27,375 | 2017: r; 2018: r; 2019: r |
| Total | Mineral Fuels And Related Materials | thousand 42-gallon barrels | 33,900 | 34,300 | 27,700 | 29,300 | 45,600 | 2017: r; 2018: r; 2019: r |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Minerals Yearbook, country tables. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Showing 53 of 53
| Asphalt | Azzawiya Oil Refining Co. [National Oil Corp. (NOC) 100%] | Plants at Az Zawiya and Benghazi | 200 | Not published |
| Cement | Al-Ahlia Cement Co. (ACC) (National Investment Co., 65.39%; Economic and Social Development Fund, 24.12%; limited income families, 8.58%; others, 1.91%) | Plant at Lubda, Suq al Khamis District | 1,500 | Not published |
| Cement | Al-Ahlia Cement Co. (ACC) (National Investment Co., 65.39%; Economic and Social Development Fund, 24.12%; limited income families, 8.58%; others, 1.91%) | Plant at Zliten, El Margueb District | 1,000 | Not published |
| Cement | Al-Ahlia Cement Co. (ACC) (National Investment Co., 65.39%; Economic and Social Development Fund, 24.12%; limited income families, 8.58%; others, 1.91%) | Plant at Al Khums, El Margueb District | 1,500 | Not published |
| Cement | Al-Ahlia Cement Co. (ACC) (National Investment Co., 65.39%; Economic and Social Development Fund, 24.12%; limited income families, 8.58%; others, 1.91%) | Plant at Leptis, El Margueb District | 330 | Not published |
| Cement | Arab Union Contracting Co. | Al Burj cement plant, Zliten El Margueb District | 2,800 | Not published |
| Cement | Libyan Cement Co. Inc. (LCC) (Libya Holdings Group Ltd., 90%, and plant employees, 10%) | Two plants at Benghazi | 1,200 | Not published |
| Cement | Libyan Cement Co. Inc. (LCC) (Libya Holdings Group Ltd., 90%, and plant employees, 10%) | Plant at El Fataih, Derna District | 1,000 | Not published |
| Gold | Artisanal miners | Mining sites in Southern libya near the borders with Algeria, Chad, Egypt, and Sudan | Not published | Not published |
| Gypsum | Al Ahlia Cement Co. (ACC) (National Investment Co., 65.39%; Economic and Social Development Fund, 24.12%; limited income families, 8.58%; others, 1.91%) | Quarries at Ghadames | 1,000 | Not published |
| Gypsum | Al Ahlia Cement Co. (ACC) (National Investment Co., 65.39%; Economic and Social Development Fund, 24.12%; limited income families, 8.58%; others, 1.91%) | Quarries in Suq al Khamis District | Not published | Not published |
| Gypsum | Arab Union Contracting Co. | Plant and quarry at Zliten | 35 | Not published |
| Direct-reduced (sponge iron) | Libyan Iron and Steel Co. (Government, 100%) | Plant at Misuratah (Mistrata) | 1,100 | Not published |
| Hot-briquetted iron | Libyan Iron and Steel Co. (Government, 100%) | Plant at Misuratah (Mistrata) | 650 | Not published |
| Raw | Libyan Iron and Steel Co. (Government, 100%) | Plant at Misuratah (Mistrata) | 1,750 | Not published |
| Bar and rod | Libyan Iron and Steel Co. (Government, 100%) | Plant at Misuratah (Mistrata) | 800 | Not published |
| Cold-rolled strip | Libyan Iron and Steel Co. (Government, 100%) | Plant at Misuratah (Mistrata) | 140 | Not published |
| Hot-rolled strip | Libyan Iron and Steel Co. (Government, 100%) | Plant at Misuratah (Mistrata) | 580 | Not published |
| Galvanized coils | Libyan Iron and Steel Co. (Government, 100%) | Plant at Misuratah (Mistrata) | 80 | Not published |
| Painted coils | Libyan Iron and Steel Co. (Government, 100%) | Plant at Misuratah (Mistrata) | 40 | Not published |
| Lime, hydraulic | Libyan Iron and Steel Co. (Government, 100%) | Plant in Suq al Khamis District | 200 | Not published |
| Lime, hydraulic | Libyan Iron and Steel Co. (Government, 100%) | Sedada Quarry, east of Misuratah | 88 | Not published |
| Methanol | Sirte Oil Co. [National Oil Corp. (NOC), 100%] | Plant at Marsa al Brega | 680 | Not published |
| Natural gas, dry million cubic | Arabian Gulf Oil Co. [National Oil Corp. | Fields include the Beda, the Brega | 1,137 | Not published |
| meters | (NOC), 100%] | (Naffoura-Augila complex), and the Hamada | Not published | Not published |
| meters | Mellitah Oil and Gas B.V. [National Oil Corp. (NOC), 50%, and Eni S.p.A., 50%] | Plant at Mellitah for Sabartha Platform, offshore | 10,195 | Not published |
| meters | Sirte Oil Co. [National Oil Corp. (NOC), 100%] | The Al Hatibh, the Al Iradal, the Al Istiklal, the Al Muqbel, the Asurah, and the Shimal Al Rashad oilfields | 1,300 | Not published |
| meters | Waha Oil Co. [National Oil Corp. (NOC) 59.2%, and ConocoPhillips Co., Marathon Oil Corp., and Hess Corp., 40.8%] | Oilfields include the Dahra, the Gialo the Samah, and the Waha | Not published | Not published |
| meters | Zueitina Oil Co. [National Oil Corp. (NOC), 88% and OMV A.G., 12%] | Oilfields include the Al Fedaa, the Al Hakeem, the Al Sabah, the Intisar Complex, the Magrid, NC–74, the Sarir, and the Zella | 181 | Not published |
| Commodity | Major operating companies and major equity owners | Location of main facilities | Not published | Not published |
| Ammonia | Libyan Fertilizer Co. (LIFECO) [National Oil Corp. (NOC), 75%, and Libyan Investment Authority, 25%] | 2 plants at Marsa al Brega | 700 | Not published |
| Urea | Libyan Fertilizer Co. (LIFECO) [National Oil Corp. (NOC), 75%, and Libyan Investment Authority, 25%] | Plant at Mersa El Brega | 900 | Not published |
| Crude thousand | Akakus Oil Operations [National Oil Corp. (NOC) | El Sharara (NC–115 and NC–186 | 75,200 | Not published |
| 42-gallon | 88%, and OMV A.G., Repsol YPF S.A., and Total S.A., 12%] | oilfields), and the Zawiya oilfields | Not published | Not published |
| 42-gallon | Arabian Gulf Oil Co. [National Oil Corp. (NOC), 100%] | Oilfields include the Beida, the Brega (Naffoura-Augila complex), the Hamada, the Magid, the Messla, the Sarir, and the Sinoun | 138,000 | Not published |
| 42-gallon | Harouge Oil Operations Co. [National Oil Corp. (NOC), 88%, and Petro-Canada, 12%] | Oilfields include the Amal, the En Naga, the Farigh (Area 107), the Ghani, the Jorfra, and the Tibisti | 12,200 | Not published |
| 42-gallon | Joint venture of National Oil Corp. (NOC) 51%, and Wintershall Holding GmbH, 49% | Oilfields include the As-Sarah, the Hamid, the Jakhira b (C96), and the Nakhla (C97) | 11,600 | Not published |
| 42-gallon | Mabruk Oil Operations [National Oil Corp. (NOC) 73%; Total S.A., 20.25%; Wintershall Holding GmbH, 6.75%] | Al-Jurf (offshore) and Mabruk oilfields | 11,100 | Not published |
| 42-gallon | Mellitah Oil Co. [National Oil Corp. (NOC) 85%, and Eni S.p.A., 15%] | Oilfields include the Bhar Essalam, the Bouri (offshore), the Abu Attifel, the El Feel, the NC–118, the Rimal, and the Wafa | 44,500 | Not published |
| 42-gallon | Sirte Oil Co. [National Oil Corp. (NOC) 100%] | Oilfields include the Al Laheeb, the Al Raguba, the Al Ralh, the Al Rashed, the Al Wadi, the Mellitah, and the Zliten | 31,400 | Not published |
| 42-gallon | Waha Oil Co. [National Oil Corp. (NOC) 59.2%, Conoco Phillips Co., 16.3%; Marathon Oil Corp., 16.3%; Ameralxa Hess Corp., 8.2%] | Oilfields include the Dahra, the Gialo the Samah, and the Waha | 52,000 | Not published |
| 42-gallon | Zueitina Oil Co. [National Oil Corp. (NOC), 88% and OMV A.G., 12%] | Oilfields include the Al Fidaa/Hakeem the Intisar (103A, 103D), the 29C, the Sabha, and the Zella | 4,400 | Not published |
| Refined do. | Arabian Gulf Oil Co. [National Oil Corp. (NOC) 100%] | Refinery at Tobruk | 7,300 | Not published |
| Refined do. | Arabian Gulf Oil Co. [National Oil Corp. (NOC) 100%] | Refinery at Sarir | 3,650 | Not published |
| Refined do. | Azzawiya Oil Refining Co. [National Oil Corp. (NOC) 100%)] | Refinery at Az Zawiya | 43,800 | Not published |
| Refined do. | Ras Lanuf Oil and Gas Processing Co. [National Oil Corp. (NOC), 100%] | Refinery at Ras Lanuf | 80,300 | Not published |
| Refined do. | Sirte Oil Co. [National Oil Corp. (NOC), 100%] | Refinery at Marsa al Brega | 2,920 | Not published |
| Salt | General Company for Chemical Industries (Government, 100%) | Plant at Abu Kammash, An Nuqat Al Khams District | 120 | Not published |
| Salt | General Company for Chemical Industries (Government, 100%) | Brines at Sabkhet Twelat Ghazala | 200 | Not published |
| Salt | Libya Star Co. | Brine at Washkah in Misuratah | 50 | Not published |
| Salt | Reefal W.L.L. Co. | Brines at Misuratah | 2,500 | Not published |
| Salt | Small-scale private miners | Brines at Sabkhet Karkourah in Bengazi | Not published | Not published |
| Sulfur | Mellitah Oil and Gas B.V. [National Oil Corp. (NOC) 60%, and Eni S.p.A., 40%] | Mellita Oil and Gas Complex Sabratha | 450 | Not published |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey, Minerals Yearbook 2021, Libya. Last checked 24 October 2026.
What natural resources earn
Natural resource rents were 61% of GDP in 2021, with oil the largest part. That ranks Libya 1st of 54 African countries. See all 54.
View the data as a table
| Period | Oil | Natural gas | Forests |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 54.5 % | 1.4 % | 0.0 % |
| 2011 | 36.3 % | 1.2 % | 0.1 % |
| 2012 | 57.6 % | 1.4 % | 0.0 % |
| 2013 | 45.8 % | 1.9 % | 0.1 % |
| 2014 | 28.6 % | 2.3 % | 0.1 % |
| 2015 | 14.4 % | 1.9 % | 0.1 % |
| 2016 | 10.8 % | 1.4 % | 0.1 % |
| 2017 | 20.9 % | 1.1 % | 0.1 % |
| 2018 | 30.0 % | 1.5 % | 0.0 % |
| 2019 | 32.8 % | 1.7 % | 0.1 % |
| 2020 | 9.2 % | 2.2 % | 0.1 % |
| 2021 | 56.4 % | 4.6 % | 0.1 % |
| 2022 | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| 2023 | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| 2024 | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| 2025 | Not published | Not published | Not published |
| 2026 | Not published | Not published | Not published |
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Forest, share of land (2024)
0.1 %
Arable land, share of land (2024)
1.0 %
Renewable fresh water per person (2022)
97 m³
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators. Last checked 24 October 2026.
Method and sources
Oil, gas and coal output and coal reserves are from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Oil and gas proved reserves are the EIA figures republished by Our World in Data; oil is converted from cubic metres to barrels at the standard factor. World production, reserves and ranks are from the U.S. Geological Survey Mineral Commodity Summaries, ranked among the countries USGS names. The full list of commodities and the companies that mine them are from the USGS Minerals Yearbook country tables, which run a few years behind. Rents, land and water are from the World Bank, and export shares from UN Comtrade. Nothing is estimated by us. Figures last checked on 24 October 2026.
USGS country page for Libya. EIA international energy data. World Bank resource rents.
Frequently asked questions
What natural resources does Libya have?
Libya's main natural resources are crude oil and natural gas. Oil, gas and coal made up 95.5% of its goods exports in 2024. The World Bank puts natural resource rents at 61% of GDP in 2021, mostly from oil. The U.S. Geological Survey also records production of direct-reduced iron, gypsum, salt, sulfur, methanol and gross, among 7 mineral commodities.
Does Libya produce oil?
Yes. Libya produced about 1,363,041 barrels of crude oil a day in 2025, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Proved oil reserves were 48.4 billion barrels in 2021.
What is Libya's most valuable natural resource?
By export earnings, oil, gas and coal: 95.5% of goods exports in 2024, according to UN Comtrade (figures reported by Libya's trading partners).
How much do natural resources contribute to Libya's economy?
Natural resource rents, the value of resources extracted minus the cost of extracting them, were 61% of GDP in 2021. That ranks Libya 1st of 54 African countries.
Which companies mine in Libya?
The U.S. Geological Survey's 2021 list of Libya's mineral industry names 25 operating companies, including Azzawiya Oil Refining Co. [National Oil Corp., Al-Ahlia Cement Co., Arab Union Contracting Co., Libyan Cement Co. Inc. and Al Ahlia Cement Co.. The full list is on this page.