Mikati, Berri Assist in Launch of Oil Exploration in Lebanese Waters

Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati and parliament Speaker Nabih Berri assisted on Tuesday in the launch of the logistics work for the oil and gas exploration in Lebanon’s territorial waters, describing the day as a bright page in the country’s history.

Berri and Mikati toured the drilling platform, accompanied by Energy Minister Walid Fayad, Transport Minister Ali Hamie, a delegation from TotalEnergies company and the President of the Petroleum Sector Administration Authority, Wissam Zahabi.

The delegation flew from Beirut’s airport to the drilling platform in a TotalEnergies helicopter.

They toured aboard the drilling rig to oversee the logistical aspects of oil and gas exploration in Block 9.

“In this darkness comes a day of joy for which I have worked long years until the framework agreement was concluded,” said Berri from the airport.

He hoped that Lebanon’s offshore wealth will start generating revenues within a few months and will mark the beginning of overcoming the economic crisis Lebanon and its people are enduring. Berri also hoped the Lebanese will reach an agreement over the election of a president.

For his part, Mikati said he is hopeful that the coming days will bring promising signs to help Lebanon deal with its crises.

“We hope that everybody will cooperate in the upcoming stage to revive our country and end the deterioration that we are witnessing on all levels,” he said.

“It is a day for the nation and a bright page in history,” he added.

TotalEnergies, Eni and QatarEnergy announced on Tuesday the launch of their exploration activities in Block 9.

“Following the peaceful definition of the maritime border, TotalEnergies, along with its partners Eni and QatarEnergy, committed to drill an exploration well in Block 9 as soon as possible in 2023,” said Romain de La Martinière, General Manager of TotalEnergies EP Lebanon.

“We are pleased to announce that the drilling operations will start in a few days, thanks to the commitment of our teams, the support of the Lebanese authorities and of our partners. This exploration will allow us to assess the materiality of hydrocarbon resources and production potential in the area,” he added.

TotalEnergies and Eni each hold a 35% stake, while QatarEnergy owns the remaining 30%.

In October 2022, Lebanon and Israel reached a historic agreement to end a long-running maritime border dispute in the gas-rich Mediterranean Sea, following months of negotiations guided by the United States.

Beirut divided its exclusive economic zone at sea into 10 blocks, and Block 9 was part of an area disputed with Israel.