Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: We still believe in dialogue and prioritize diplomatic solutions with Pakistan; though we are ready for all possibilities.
Afghan source to Al Mayadeen: Pakistan purposely obstructed negotiations in Turkey by making unrealistic demands.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: More than 70 martyrs in Israeli attacks on Gaza since dawn.
Death toll from latest Israeli strikes on Gaza rises to 30
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Five killed in the Israeli bombing of a civilian vehicle on Al-Qassam Street in Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip
Hamas confirms that it has no connection to the shooting incident in Rafah and affirms its commitment to the ceasefire agreement
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Two civilians were killed and four others, including a child and an infant, were injured in an Israeli bombing of a house belonging to the Al-Banna family in the al-Sabra neighborhood, south of Gaza City
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An Israeli airstrike targets the vicinity of Al-Shifa Medical Complex, west of Gaza City
Al-Qassam: We will postpone the handover of the body of the Israeli captive we found, which was scheduled for today, due to the occupation's violations
Al Mayadeen's correspondent in Gaza: Israeli occupation aircraft launch airstrikes on the city of Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip

Drillship arrives in Lebanon, excavation to start in 10 days: Minister

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies + Al Mayadeen
  • 16 Aug 2023 18:09
  • 1 Shares
3 Min Read

The Lebanese Minister of Public Works tells Al Mayadeen that all requirements from sea, land, and air have been secured for TotalEnergies to start the exploration process.

  • x
  • Lebanon secured equipment for Total to begin excavation process: Hamie
    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.

Related News

From Al-Naqoura tunnel to Karish gas field: All options on table

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.

Read more: Lebanese army deploys patrol boat forces after Israeli breach

  • Qana field
  • Total
  • Lebanon
  • Ali Hamie
  • TotalEnergies

Most Read

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

'Israel’s Digital Iron Dome: Weaponizing the web against Palestine

  • Technology
  • 24 Oct 2025
Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

Arab League chief exposes secret US deal shielding 'Israel’s' nukes

  • Politics
  • 27 Oct 2025
Abu Hamza, the spokesperson for the Al-Quds Brigades, during a speech televised on October 22, 2025 (Al-Quds Brigades Military Media)

Al-Quds Brigades' Abu Hamza mourns leaders, vows continued resistance

  • Politics
  • 22 Oct 2025
US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

US missionary kidnapped in Niger capital, suspected taken toward Mali

  • Africa
  • 23 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
Saudi's PIF refocuses on AI, logistics, and religious tourism
Economy

Saudi Arabia's fund refocuses on AI, logistics, and religious tourism

Detained Bahraini activist al-Khawaja starts new hunger strike.
Politics

Detained Bahraini activist al-Khawaja starts new hunger strike

Israel fortifies Gaza’s "yellow line," prepares to dig in.
Politics

'Israel' fortifies Gaza’s 'yellow line,' prepares to dig in: WSJ

President Donald Trump speaks to reporters aboard Air Force One as he travels from Tokyo, Japan, to South Korea, on October 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
Asia

Trump’s weak dollar strategy risks global fallout: Forbes

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS