Page 8 - MEOG Week 40

MEOG POLICY MEOG

Israel and Lebanon begin

maritime border talks

EAST MED NEIGHBOURS Israel and Lebanon this week potential for exploratory drilling there has been
have agreed to enter into discussions regarding the cause of increased friction between Beirut
the demarcation of a maritime border between and Jerusalem.
the two. The consortium completed its first Block 4
The talks will be mediated by the US and well in early 2020 but reported that no commer-
will be held under the auspices of the United cial discovery had been made.
Nations. While early reports suggested that the Around 7-9% of Block 9 overlaps with an
discussions would extend to onshore demarca- 854-square km triangle of territory disputed
tion, Israel did not agree to talks pertaining to with Israel, and amid uproar from Lebanon’s
the land border. southern neighbour, Total previously said that it
The announcement follows nearly a decade would seek to drill as far from the offending area
of negotiations between the two countries and as possible.
an agreement is hoped to kick-start exploration On September 1, Speaker of the Lebanese
in Lebanon’s Block 9. Parliament Nabih Berri told Naharnet news
According to the Lebanese Oil & Gas Initi- that the US “intends to exert its utmost efforts
ative (LOGI), the Lebanese side of the negotia- to establish a positive and constructive atmos-
tions “will be led by Lebanese army officers and phere between the two parties … to conclude the
leaders”, with meetings to be held at the United negotiations as soon as possible”. He added: “The
Nations Interim Force In Lebanon (UNIFIL) demarcation will help Lebanon economically”,
headquarters beginning on October 14. noting that Total had “promised to begin explo-
In a statement, UNIFIL said that it welcomed ration operations before the end of the year.”
the “announcement of a framework agreement Middle East Oil & Gas (MEOG) understands
to launch negotiations between Lebanon and from Lebanese sources that a well will be spud-
Israel”, adding that it “stands ready to extend ded 20-30 km from the area of controversy.
to the parties all the support at its disposal and In a June interview with Xinhua, Wissam
facilitate efforts towards a resolution of [these] Chbat, board member at the Lebanese Petro-
upcoming negotiations and move forward with leum Administration (LPA) and head of its
Blue Line marking”. Geology and Geophysics Unit, said that Total
Meanwhile, Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs was expected to “complete its drilling of the well
Gabi Ashkenazi called the announcement “an in Block 9 before the end of May 2021.”
important step” and thanked US Secretary of He added that “the lithology Total found in
State Mike Pompeo for his involvement in bring- Block 4 exploration well had carbonated forma-
ing about “the beginning of direct talks between tion which could be a reservoir rock but these
Israel and Lebanon on the demarcation of the types of rocks need to be further evaluated,
maritime boundary.” since the drilling focused only on sandstone
In June, Israel launched a bid round for Block reservoirs.”
72, which lies in the contested area. According to the LPA, the country’s exclusive
Meanwhile, a consortium of Total (40%, economic zone (EEZ) covers 22,700 square km,
operator), Eni (40%) and Russia’s Novatek with the blocks accounting for 17,506 square
(20%) was awarded Blocks 4 and 9 in February km. As of late 2019, 14,000 km of 2D seismic and
2018. The latter lies in the disputed area and the 15,000 square km of 3D seismic had been shot.™

Source: Interfax

P8 www. NEWSBASE .com Week 40 07•October•2020