Libya’s Minister of Oil and Gas, Khalifa Abdel Sadig, says the country is working toward boosting crude oil production to 1.6 million barrels per day by the end of 2026, as part of efforts to revive the energy sector and attract more international investment.

Speaking with CNBC Arabia after a series of meetings in Washington, D.C., Abdel Sadig confirmed that consultations and preliminary agreements have been reached with U.S. energy giants ExxonMobil and Chevron on exploration and production opportunities. He did not disclose specific details about the deals.

The minister revealed that Libya currently produces around 2.5 billion cubic feet of natural gas daily, with exports to Italy standing at about 200,000 cubic feet per day.

Abdel Sadig’s trip to Washington was part of a broader Libyan government mission attending the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings, held from October 13 to 18. During the visit, the delegation met with several U.S. companies and institutions to explore partnerships across key sectors, including energy, finance, and infrastructure.

The planned production boost marks a significant step toward restoring Libya’s pre-conflict output levels and strengthening its role as a key oil supplier in North Africa.