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Libya Resource Reserves (2026)

1980

2021

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration · Updated June 2026

1980

2021

What to know

As of 2021, Libya's reserves were dominated by crude oil: 48.36 billion barrels of proved reserves. It also held 53.14 trillion cubic feet of gas. Over the last decade, oil reserves edged higher (+4%).

Key reserves

Oil reserves (2021)

48.36 B bbl

Natural gas reserves (2021)

53.14 TCF

Key terms

Proved reserves: — Quantities of crude oil or natural gas that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty are recoverable under existing economic and operating conditions.
Recoverable reserves: — Coal that can be technically and economically extracted with current mining methods at current prices. Excludes inaccessible deposits.
Billion barrels (B bbl): — Unit for oil reserves. One barrel equals 42 US gallons or about 159 litres.
Trillion cubic feet (TCF): — Unit for natural gas reserves. One TCF is roughly 28.3 billion cubic metres.
Million short tons (M ST): — Unit for coal reserves. One short ton equals 2,000 lb or 907 kg.

Crude oil proved reserves

In 2021, Libya had 48.36 billion barrels of proved crude oil reserves. Over the prior decade, those reserves edged higher (+4%).

Natural gas proved reserves

In 2021, Libya held 53.14 trillion cubic feet of proved natural gas reserves. Reserves edged lower over the prior decade (-3%).

The bottom line

Libya was a meaningful holder of crude oil reserves, which anchored its position in global energy markets.

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration · Updated June 2026

What to know

As of 2021, Libya's reserves were dominated by crude oil: 48.36 billion barrels of proved reserves. It also held 53.14 trillion cubic feet of gas. Over the last decade, oil reserves edged higher (+4%).

Key reserves

Oil reserves (2021)

48.36 B bbl

Natural gas reserves (2021)

53.14 TCF

Key terms

Proved reserves: — Quantities of crude oil or natural gas that geological and engineering data demonstrate with reasonable certainty are recoverable under existing economic and operating conditions.
Recoverable reserves: — Coal that can be technically and economically extracted with current mining methods at current prices. Excludes inaccessible deposits.
Billion barrels (B bbl): — Unit for oil reserves. One barrel equals 42 US gallons or about 159 litres.
Trillion cubic feet (TCF): — Unit for natural gas reserves. One TCF is roughly 28.3 billion cubic metres.
Million short tons (M ST): — Unit for coal reserves. One short ton equals 2,000 lb or 907 kg.

Crude oil proved reserves

In 2021, Libya had 48.36 billion barrels of proved crude oil reserves. Over the prior decade, those reserves edged higher (+4%).

Natural gas proved reserves

In 2021, Libya held 53.14 trillion cubic feet of proved natural gas reserves. Reserves edged lower over the prior decade (-3%).

The bottom line

Libya was a meaningful holder of crude oil reserves, which anchored its position in global energy markets.

Egypt

Sudan

Algeria

Niger

Chad

Tunisia

What to know

Key reserves

Crude oil proved reserves

Natural gas proved reserves

The bottom line

Egypt

Sudan

Algeria

Niger

Chad

Tunisia

What to know

Key reserves

Crude oil proved reserves

Natural gas proved reserves

The bottom line