With Libya’s National Oil Corporation (NOC) restarting oil and natural gas exploration activities after a 20 year hiatus, the region’s biggest challenge has returned to the agenda: “shelter and operational sustainability under desert conditions.” In the Sirte and Murzuq basins, where giants such as Turkish Petroleum (TPAO), Repsol, and ENI are preparing to mobilize, attention has once again turned to Turkish industry, known for its strong references in harsh environments.

Listed among the world’s top 250 contractors in the ENR rankings, Dorce Prefabricated and Construction has already proven its capability to build self sufficient modular cities in the middle of the desert through its “Workforce Accommodation Camp” projects previously delivered in Libya’s Kufra region.

Mobile Living Bases in the Kufra Desert

Completed in Kufra, in southeastern Libya, one of the harshest points of the Sahara Desert, this project stands as a “pilot model” for the upcoming new oil push. The camp built by Dorce addressed not only accommodation needs but also the technical infrastructure required for oil pipeline operations through an integrated system approach.

The project utilized single story modular prefabricated units installed on a concrete block layout system suitable for desert ground conditions. This technique both tolerates ground irregularities and allows the camp to be dismantled and relocated to another site when needed (mobilization).

“Armored” Structures Against Sandstorms and Extreme Heat

Climate conditions, the largest obstacle to operations in the region, were overcome through Dorce’s engineering solutions. The structures in Kufra featured:

• High Insulation: Equipped with special insulation materials against the desert’s scorching daytime heat and freezing nighttime cold.
• Reinforced Construction: Steel frame systems resistant to severe sandstorms and wind loads frequently seen in the area.
• Heat Resistant Exterior Façade: Special façade claddings were selected to reflect sunlight and extend the building’s service life.

Water and Energy Independence in the Desert: Fully Integrated Infrastructure

The most critical feature of these camps, established hundreds of kilometers away from any city grid, was their ability to be “self sufficient.” In the Kufra project, Dorce delivered not only buildings but also comprehensive MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing) networks simultaneously.

Along with clean water tanks and an on site distribution network, wastewater and septic treatment systems (Wastewater Treatment) installed on container units were integrated into the camp infrastructure. Energy continuity was ensured through dedicated generator rooms, distribution panels, and technical room containers.

Hybrid Solutions for Logistics and Storage

To protect heavy equipment at oil sites, Dorce produces hybrid warehouse solutions combining light and heavy steel. In Kufra, Dorce installed wide span heavy steel hangar systems, enabling maintenance and repair activities to continue without being affected by sandstorms.

Dorce officials stated that, in Libya’s new era, they are ready to transfer this Kufra experience to the Sirte and Murzuq basins to meet the need for “rapid install, mobile, and durable” living spaces for TPAO and its international partners.