Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) has commenced trial operations of a critical 80-mile gas pipeline, a project stalled for 16 years that officials say will stabilize domestic energy supplies and pave the way for increased exports to Europe.

The 42-inch pipeline connects the Intisar A/103 field to the Brega gas distribution network. 

By linking these strategic hubs, the NOC aims to resolve long-standing infrastructure bottlenecks that have forced production shutdowns across the North African nation’s eastern fields.

A primary objective of the new line is the recovery of approximately 150 million cubic feet of gas per day that was previously lost to flaring. 

Burning off excess gas has been a persistent issue in Libya, contributing to both economic waste and environmental degradation.

Beyond capturing lost volumes, the NOC stated the pipeline will eliminate "back pressure" within the system. This mechanical strain had previously disrupted operations and necessitated the intermittent closure of several fields. 

Last month, NOC confirmed that the initial segment of the pipeline was already operational, helping boost the country’s gas throughput. 

With the new infrastructure online, the corporation expects a significant leap in overall network efficiency.

The launch comes as Libya, a member of OPEC and holder of an estimated 80 trillion cubic feet of gas reserves, seeks to reassert itself in global energy markets. 

Since the 2011 uprising, political instability has deterred the foreign investment needed to modernize the sector.

However, the NOC is now engaged in an aggressive push to increase gas production to 1 billion standard cubic feet per day and expand export capacity to Europe via the Greenstream pipeline to Italy by the early 2030s.

Additionally, the NOC is looking to secure international partners through the first licensing rounds held since 2007.

By integrating the Intisar-Brega line, the NOC is positioning the country to transition from a period of "trial operation" to a sustained role as a reliable Mediterranean energy provider. 

The project represents a rare milestone in infrastructure completion for a nation working to turn its vast hydrocarbon wealth into a stable economic engine.