Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam (right, background) and Julian Pouget (left, background), president of Total Energies MENA region, attend the signing of the deal
Gas deal keeps Lebanon’s offshore hopes alive
The signing of a deal with a TotalEnergies-led consortium to explore for gas in a block adjoining Israel’s maritime area may breathe new life into the country’s gas ambitions
Despite persistent political turbulence and chronic economic crises, there is tentative optimism in Beirut that Lebanon’s faltering hydrocarbons sector may yet have life in it. An agreement announced on 9 January with the Lebanese government commits TotalEnergies, as operator—along with partners Italy’s Eni and state-owned QatarEnergy—to a 1,200km² 3D seismic survey of Lebanon’s Block 8 to further assess the area’s exploration potential. This could pave the way for the drilling of an exploration well in a second phase. The government is, meanwhile, looking to maintain the momentum with the launch of a fourth offshore licensing round, with the Lebanon Petroleum Administration working with the
Also in this section
1 April 2026
Golden Pass’s startup offers QatarEnergy a timely boost but may also force a difficult choice between honouring disrupted contracts and capitalising on soaring spot LNG prices
1 April 2026
It is not a case of if or when, but the length and magnitude of economic damage from elevated oil prices
1 April 2026
The US-Iran conflict demonstrates the need for diversification in several senses of the word. It also exposes the limits of Washington applying pressure on major oil and gas producers it considers geopolitical adversaries
31 March 2026
Disappointing results in its bidding round are a reality check for Libya, and global exploration generally
