Tripoli, Libya – May 2025 – Camco, in partnership with Sirte Oil and Gas Production and Manufacturing Company (SOC), has completed the drilling and testing of horizontal well C356H-6 in the historic Zelten Field, one of Libya’s oldest oil-producing fields. The operation represents a major achievement for the country’s upstream sector, delivering the highest production rate recorded in the field in more than 50 years.
The well, drilled using advanced directional drilling technologies by Camco, produced approximately 5,000 barrels per day (bpd) of water-free crude oil under natural flow, with no need for artificial lift. This result reflects the precision and effectiveness of the planning, execution, and close collaboration between the Camco and SOC technical teams. Much of this success is attributed to the skill and dedication of Camco’s team of predominantly Libyan experts, whose deep understanding of the field played a central role in the project’s outcome.
As the exclusive provider of Baker Hughes (BH) drilling technologies in Libya, Camco deployed a suite of cutting-edge BH tools to enhance drilling performance and optimize reservoir contact. These included AutoTrak, a rotary steerable system offering accurate directional control and improved wellbore quality; VisiTrak HD, a real-time reservoir navigation service providing detailed subsurface imaging; and LithoTrak, an advanced formation evaluation tool delivering high-resolution data while drilling. Together, these technologies enabled the successful completion of the longest horizontal section ever drilled in the Zelten reservoir, exceeding 1,500 feet.
SOC’s Reservoir Engineering Department within the Drilling and Petroleum Engineering Directorate played a vital role in identifying the target location, designing the horizontal well plan, and overseeing technical implementation to the highest standards. Camco’s support during well testing further confirmed the well’s strong production potential.
This achievement supports Camco’s and SOC’s broader strategy to meet the National Oil Corporation’s (NOC) directives aimed at increasing national crude output. The NOC’s Board of Directors commended the performance of all teams involved, reinforcing the need to sustain this momentum in line with Libya’s energy development goals.
