Lebanese Minister of Energy Walid Fayad

The Lebanese Minister of Energy Walid Fayad told Al Mayadeen on Wednesday that the arrival of the drillship to Block 9 is a step in a long path that started in 2010.

Fayad announced that the drill rig arrived on Wednesday at the drilling location and will proceed with its operations during the coming days, adding that it will need 80 days to reach the required excavation depth. He noted that excavation work will start within 10 days at most.

He pointed out that "political maliciousness" delayed the arrival of the drilling rig to Lebanon and the start of excavation work," pointing out that according to studies, there may be a commercial benefit in Block 9 and the Qana field. Fayad believed that there is an international interest in exploration and production in Lebanon.

In the same context, the Lebanese Minister of Public Works and Transport, Ali Hamie, pointed out on Wednesday that the arrival of the drillship to Block 9 is the result of the Lebanese government's efforts with the concerned companies.

In an interview for Al Mayadeen, Hamie said Lebanese authorities built a logistical base so that French energy company TotalEnergies could transfer equipment to the exploration platform and facilitated licensing procedures.

The Lebanese Minister noted that all requirements from sea, land, and air have been secured for TotalEnergies to start the exploration process.

"The arrival of the exploration ship is the result of the government's efforts with the concerned companies, and all sea, land, and air resources have been secured for #Total to start the exploration process."
- The Lebanese Minister of Public Works and Transport, Ali Hamieh… https://t.co/brqJIgJGh2
— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) August 16, 2023

He indicated that the director of TotalEnergies said the company needs 72 days to observe the results of the exploration, adding that the results of the process will be witnessed before the end of the year.

Hamie revealed that the Qana 96 line was named in memory of the martyrs of the Qana massacre that the Israeli occupation committed in 1996, stressing that this will be a "foundational beginning" for Lebanon's future at all levels.

The Lebanese Minister of Public Works and Transport said it is unreasonable for a field close to the Qana field to contain gas and not be included in Lebanon's exclusive economic zone.

Elsewhere, he expressed hope that there will be no obstacles during the exploration process.

On its part, TotalEnergies announced in a statement "the arrival of the drilling rig, Transocean Barents, at the block, at around 120 kilometers (75 miles) off the coast of Beirut," in addition to the arrival of a support helicopter at Beirut airport.

"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," the French company indicated.

TotalEneriges said it is optimistic about the presence of wealth in the Qana field in Block 9.

Earlier on Wednesday, Hamie announced the arrival of an oil and gas exploration ship at Block 9, marking the initiation of exploration operations.

It is noteworthy that TotalEnergies reached a deal with the Lebanese government on the gas field. The initial exploration license for Block number 9 was held by a consortium of TotalEnergies, Italy's Eni, and Russia's Novatek, even though the latter exited the group due to the war in Ukraine.