Lebanon Fast-Tracks Offshore Awards

摘要

Lebanon's Council of Ministers has fast-tracked the award of two offshore permits to a consortium of Total, Eni and Russia's Novatek, showing that Beirut is keen for drilling to start quickly after three years of political delays (IOD Nov.17'17). Lebanese Energy Minister Cesar Abu Khalil said drilling on Blocks 4 and 9 would start in 2019 and congratulated the Lebanese people "on the approval of the oil item and the entry of Lebanon into the club of oil [producing] countries." The firms will then sign contracts with the council and make payment guarantees.