The launching of the prequalification process for Lebanon’s first oil and gas licensing round is a significant step towards the development of hydrocarbon resources in the country. But while many topics are being discussed related to the offshore finds, little is being spoken about the potential environmental impacts of the sector.
A lack of planning could lead to severe environmental and social impacts. While most people are concerned with the risks of major oil spills that could have devastating impacts on our shorelines — although our neighbors are probably more at risk than we are because currents will mostly drive spills towards the north — there are many other issues to be dealt with and that are more certain to occur in the event of major hydrocarbon finds.
So far although a strategic environmental assessment (SEA) study has been prepared, as required in Lebanon’s Offshore Petroleum Law as an environmental planning instrument, it has not yet been disclosed to the public. Not much is known about the results of the study and whether it has provided strategic inputs to guide environmental decisions early on in the sector’s development process.