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TotalEnergies, the operator of Block 9, announced on Wednesday the arrival of the Transocean Barents drilling platform to the block’s location, situated approximately 120 kilometers off the coast of Beirut in Lebanese waters.
In parallel, the first helicopter that will be serving the platform arrived at the Beirut Airport.
According to a statement released by the company, “the arrival of the equipment marks an important step in the preparation of the drilling of the exploration well in Block 9, which will begin towards the end of August 2023.”
“The helicopter, operated by Gulf Helicopters under a contract with Total Energies EP Block 9, will facilitate the transportation of crews to the drilling platform, ensuring the smooth execution of operations,” the statement added.
A field visit was carried out on August 16, with the presence of caretaker Minister of Energy Walid Fayad and caretaker Minister of Public Works anqd Transportation Ali Hamieh, along with representatives from the Lebanese Petroleum Administration (LPA), emphasizing the collaborative efforts undertaken.
Additionally, the statement explained that “this visit was an opportunity to demonstrate the progress of activities as per the schedule of operations to which the partners have committed in January 2023.”
TotalEnergies has been present in Lebanon since 2018, with exploration and production agreements signed for Blocks 9 and 4 in the same year. The forthcoming drilling in Block 9 aligns with contractual commitments, involving partners Eni and QatarEnergy.
