Chevron, Exxon Mobil, Shell and Total are among the 46 international oil companies to prequalify to bid for offshore gas exploration contracts in Lebanon, caretaker Energy and Water Minister Gibran Bassil announced Thursday.
Though two decrees demarcating the 10 maritime exploration blocks to be auctioned off and establishing a revenue-sharing model must be passed by the Cabinet before contracts can be awarded, Bassil vowed to launch the tender on May 2, whether or not a new government has been formed.