Enhancing Oil Reservoir Productivity in Libya Using Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) Techniques: A Review of Past, Current Status, Future Prospects, and Challenges

Libya possesses some of the largest proven oil reserves in Africa, yet production from its mature fields has been steadily declining due to reservoir depletion and reliance on primary and secondary recovery methods. Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) offers a strategic pathway to revitalize productivity, extend field life, and align with global energy transition goals. This review examines the historical context, current applications, and future potential of EOR in Libya. The analysis highlights the geological characteristics of the Sirte, Murzuq, Ghadames, and Cyrenaica basins, identifying the challenges of heterogeneous reservoirs, limited water availability, and infrastructure constraints. Past EOR pilots, including steam flooding, polymer injection, and early CO₂-EOR tests, have provided valuable insights but faced economic and political barriers to full-scale deployment. Current initiatives by the National Oil Corporation and international oil companies focus on gas injection, chemical methods, and digital monitoring to enhance recovery factors. Looking ahead, opportunities exist in CO₂-EOR linked with carbon management, advanced technologies such as nanomaterials, and the integration of artificial intelligence for real-time optimization. However, technical, economic, environmental, and political challenges remain significant. This review concludes that with strategic investment, policy stability, and international collaboration, EOR could play a transformative role in sustaining Libya’s oil sector and supporting its energy security.