TotalEnergies, Eni and QatarEnergy inaugurated on Tuesday exploration activities on Block 9 in Southern Lebanon, with a visit to the Transocean Barents drilling rig, positioned approximately 120 km off the coast of Beirut. The drilling operations will start on Thursday.
This event unfolded in the presence of Speaker of Parliament Nabih Berri, Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati, Caretaker Ministers of Energy and Water Walid Fayad and of Public Works and Transport Ali Hammieh. Representatives from the Lebanese Petroleum Administration (LPA) were also present.
Since August 16, the drilling rig has taken its strategic position within Block 9.
According to a statement released by the company, Lebanese officials were briefed during the visit on the completion of preparations for exploration well drilling, set to begin soon. It will start on Thursday, according to Fayad.
“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. We are pleased to announce that the drilling operations will start in few days, thanks to the commitment of our teams, the support of the Lebanese authorities and of our partners. This exploration well will allow us to assess the materiality of hydrocarbon resources and production potential in the area,” said Romain de La Martinière, General Manager of TotalEnergies EP Lebanon.
TotalEnergies assumes the mantle of operatorship, owning a 35% stake. Its partner Eni has an equivalent 35% interest, while QatarEnergy holds a 30% stake.
Later on, Walid Fayad held a review meeting in his office, in the presence of senior TotalEnergies executives: Romain de La Martinière, Laurent Vivier, head of Middle East and North Africa for the French energy giant’s Exploration-Production branch, and Julien Pouget, head of Exploration-Production and Renewables for Asia-Pacific.
Discussions focused on the ongoing preparations for the offshore exploration work and the timetable established for this purpose.
Fayad later explained to the media that the results of the drilling will appear two months later, more precisely 67 days from the starting date, which is Thursday.
According to him, the prognosis “is positive, especially as TotalEnergies and its partners are also interested in the blocks surrounding block 9.”
Furthermore, the Minister indicated that TotalEnergies is also interested in renewable energies, “whether they are 5 or 100 megawatt production projects.” However, he noted that a legislative process would have to be launched first.
At the end of the meeting, Fayad and TotalEnergies officials paid a visit to Mikati, who said that it is “necessary for everyone to rise above personal considerations and see this project as an achievement for all Lebanese and a cornerstone for economic recovery.”
