The Lebanese Petroleum Administration (LPA) announced the end of the application period for the second pre-qualification round for bidding to explore for oil and gas in Lebanon's offshore. The full results of those companies qualified to place bids for exploration contracts to be signed later this year are expected to be published mid-April, according to the government's roadmap for the sector.

1. ONGC Videsh Limited
2. PJSC Lukoil
3. Sapurakencana Energy Sdn Bhd
4. Sonatrach International Petroleum Exploration & Production Corporation
5. Qatar Petroleum International Limited
6. Advanced Energy Systems (ADES) S.A.E
7. Petropars LTD
8. JSC Novatek
9. Vega Petroleum Limited / Edgo Energy Limited / Petroleb SAL

The Ministry of Energy & Water said in January that the companies that prequalified in the first licensing round held in 2013 remain eligible to qualify again so long as they still meet the criteria. The LPA said in its statement that 14 of the companies (but didn't indicate which ones) that pre-qualified in 2013 have submitted documents updating their application file.