Eni's chief executive has vowed the Italian energy giant will remain in war-torn Libya despite a deepening political crisis and the ascent there of extremist groups like the Islamic State.
"We are in Libya and intend to stay, despite the threat of terrorism," Claudio Descalzi told daily La Repubblica in an interview published Thursday.
"Our rigs are 120 kilometres from the coast and we are not worried about their security. The infrastructure we have on the ground is another matter.
"The Abu-Attifel well has been closed for 18 months while the others are still operational," Descalzi said.
Eni has boosted the security of all of its infrastructure in Libya and has prepared an evacuation plan for its staff in response to the current turmoil, Descalzi said.
''I believe that Italy must insist on the path of a negotiated diplomatic solution and talks between the country's various factions on a unity government which have been taking place for the past year."
Libya's internationally recognised government in Tobruk and Islamist militias holding Tripoli have until mid-June to vet a United Nations brokered plan for a unity government forged during talks held over the past year in Morocco between the two sides.
The oil-rich country plunged into chaos after the 2011 ouster of strongman Muammar Gaddafi, with rival factions fighting for control amid a patchwork of heavily armed militias.
Descalzi, a 60-year-old Italian businessman replaced Paolo Scaroni as Eni's veteran chief executive in May last year after serving as his deputy.
