A new offshore energy exploration deal between Libya’s National Oil Corporation, NOC, and a consortium of Turkish and European companies has raised concern in Greece, where officials continue to oppose maritime claims linked to the controversial Turkey-Libya accord.
The parties signed the agreement on Monday in Benghazi. It covers an offshore block of about 10,300 square kilometers northwest of the eastern Libyan city. The consortium includes Turkey’s state energy company TPAO (Turkish Petroleum Corporation) and Spain’s Repsol, each holding a 40 percent stake, along with Hungary’s MOL, Italy’s Eni, and QatarEnergy.
Greece watches Turkey-Libya maritime moves after Libya energy deal
The exploration area lies south of the maritime zones claimed by Greece and does not physically overlap with Greek-licensed blocks south of Crete. However, analysts in Athens say the deal creates a troubling precedent.
Greek officials and analysts see the agreement as part of Ankara’s broader effort to produce tangible results within the framework of the 2019 Turkey-Libya maritime memorandum. Greece rejects that memorandum, arguing that it violates international law and disregards the maritime rights of Greek islands.
For Athens, the concern is not only the exact location of the offshore block, but also the political signal sent by the deal. Athens views the involvement of TPAO in a Libyan offshore project as another step in Turkey’s attempt to translate contested maritime claims into practical energy activity.
European firms’ role fuels concern in Athens
The participation of companies from EU member states Spain, Italy, and Hungary has also fueled unease in Greece. Their presence in the consortium has reinforced the view in Athens that several European partners continue to treat Turkey as an indispensable strategic actor in the region.
From the Greek perspective, the development highlights a long-standing geopolitical alignment between Turkey and key European countries, particularly Spain and Italy. Greek officials and analysts have often argued that some partners treat Greece’s security concerns as secondary when broader economic, defense, and energy interests with Turkey are at stake.
Libya energy deal draws Greece’s attention as hydrocarbon exploration revives
Monday’s agreement also comes as Libya seeks to revive hydrocarbon exploration after nearly two decades of limited activity. The country aims to increase crude oil production beyond its current level of about 1.3 to 1.4 million barrels per day.
For Libya, new offshore agreements form part of a wider effort to bring international energy companies back into its oil and gas sector. For Greece, however, the timing of the deal and the composition of the consortium give the agreement broader geopolitical significance.
US energy push adds to Libya’s political equation
At the same time, US involvement in Libya’s energy sector has accelerated under the Donald Trump presidency. American energy giants such as ConocoPhillips, Chevron, and ExxonMobil have been moving forward with deals as part of a broader US diplomatic push to bring Libya’s historically divided institutions under a single, unified authority.
This US push adds another layer to the diplomatic contest over Libya’s future. Energy development, political reunification, and regional influence increasingly overlap, with major international players seeking to shape the country’s next phase.
Saddam Haftar’s Athens visit highlights the timing
The timing of the Benghazi agreement was particularly sensitive for Athens. On the same day the Turkey-linked energy deal was signed, Saddam Haftar, the son and political heir of eastern Libyan field marshal Khalifa Haftar, visited Greece.
His visit came as US plans aim to position him in a future unified Libyan administration. For Athens, the overlap underscored the complexity of Libya’s evolving political and energy landscape, where Turkish, European, American, and Greek interests increasingly intersect.
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