TRIPOLI, Libya, Nov. 25 (UPI) -- Ukrainian utility Naftogaz aims to expand its oil and gas exploration presence in Libya, said National Security and Defense Council Secretary Raisa Bohatyryova.
Bohatyryova was in Tripoli on an official visit to discuss bilateral ties in the security and economic sectors.
She said she was confident Naftogaz could play an active role in the exploitation of the Libyan gas sector, the National Radio Co. of Ukraine reports.
Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko signed a series of intergovernmental agreements in the energy, military and agricultural sectors in May.
Her visit was part of a preliminary arrangement for the Libyan construction of petroleum refineries in Odessa. The refineries will have the capacity to process roughly 73 million barrels of oil each year.
Ukraine is facing complications in its Soviet-era energy infrastructure, which is suffering as Kiev struggles under the current economic crisis.
