In 2025, Libya became Italy's largest crude oil supplier, providing 13.4 million tonnes and accounting for nearly a quarter of Italy's imports.
Libya supplied 13.4 million tonnes of crude oil to Italy in 2025, making it the country's largest supplier, reports Geneva's Ecofin Agency.
Libyan crude accounted for nearly one-quarter of Italy's total imports, surpassing supplies from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, and Iraq. Europe has long been the primary destination for Libyan exports, with Mediterranean refineries receiving a significant portion of the supply.
Geography plays a crucial role, as the short distance between Libyan oil terminals and Italian ports reduces shipping times. Italy also maintains a central role in Libya's oil industry through Eni, which resumed exploration in 2025 after several years of interruption.
In October 2025, Eni restarted offshore exploration in block 4/16 in northwestern Libya in collaboration with the National Oil Corporation. This followed earlier onshore activity in the Ghadames Basin, a prolific oil region in the southwest. Officials aim to boost national output to approximately 1.4 million barrels per day.
