Skip to main content

Israel agrees for Qatar to drill in Lebanese maritime gas field

After agreeing for TotalEnergies and Eni to go ahead with exploration drilling at the Lebanese cross-border Kana-Sidon reservoir, Israel has approved the Qatari Energy Consortium to buy the drilling rights.
Getty

Israel has approved for the Qatari Energy Consortium to be involved in drilling for natural gas in the Kana-Sidon undersea reservoir. Drilling rights in this zone, called Block 9, are currently in the hands of French TotalEnergies and Italian Eni companies.

On Nov. 15, Israel signed an agreement with both companies to begin energy exploration in the area. Block 9 lies within Lebanon’s territorial waters, but the exploration might extend into Israel’s waters. Israel’s Nov. 22 approval will enable the Qatari company to buy some of the drilling rights from the French company to participate in the expected exploration.

Access the Middle East news and analysis you can trust

Join our community of Middle East readers to experience all of Al-Monitor, including 24/7 news, analyses, memos, reports and newsletters.

Subscribe

Only $100 per year.