03 What has Lebanon done so far?
Timeline for Oil and Gas in Lebanon and the region
filter by all countries Licensing
2001
Private Company to Advise Lebanon on Exploration
Lebanon’s Higher Council for Privatization commissions UK ATenergy to advise on developing exploration licensing.
Dec 2012
Lebanon Announces First Offshore Licensing Round
Lebanon’s first offshore oil and gas licensing round approved.
Feb 2013
Lebanon Launches First Offshore Licensing Round
Pre-qualification phase commences. In March, the prequalification round closes with 46 companies eligible to bid in Lebanon’s first licensing round.
Aug 2014
Lebanon Postpones Licensing Round Indefinitely
After several postponements the MoEW announces a new deadline for the first licensing round to be 6 months after the government passes necessary decrees.
April 2017
Ministry of Energy announces eligible companies for first offshore oil and gas licensing

On April 26, 2017 the ministry of energy announced the companies that are qualified to submit bids in Lebanon's first offshore oil and gas licensing round, with contracts set to be signed in November. The qualified companies now total 51, including those that were greenlit during the first qualification round back in 2013.

Sep 2017
Minister of Energy and Water announces the extension of the first offshore oil and gas bidding round

On September 7, the minister of Energy and Water, Cezar Abi Khalil, extends the bidding round from September 15 to October 12. 

Oct 2017
Closure of first bidding round for oil and gas exploration

On October 12th, the Minister of Energy and Water announces the closure of the bidding round. One consortium, composed of TOTAL, ENI, and NOVATEK, submits two separate bids on blocks 4 and 9. 

Jan 2018
Lebanese Government Signs first exploration and production agreements with consurtium
May 2018
Preparation for Lebanon’s second offshore licensing round

Council of Ministers approves a recommendation from the LPA for preparing Lebanon’s second offshore licensing round

April 2019
Declaring Second Offshore Licensing Round for blocks 1, 2, 5, 8, 10.

On April 5, 2019 the ministry of energy announced that blocks 1, 2, 5, 8 and 10 are open to receive bids in the Second Offshore Licensing Round. 

The set of open blocks was selected based on the priorities and goals of the upstream oil and gas sector and the objectives of the Second Offshore Licensing Round. 

 

April 2020
Lebanon extends the application deadline of the second licensing round from April 30 till June 1st 2020

On April 3rd, 2020 Minister of Energy and Water Raymond Ghajar announced the extension of the application deadline of the second licensing round from April 30th till the 1st of June due to COVID-19 and lockdown consequences.

May 2020
Lebanon postpones the deadline for the submission of applications for its second licensing round

On May 31st, 2020 The Ministry of Energy and Water Raymond Ghajar announced in a statement the postponement of the deadline for the submission of applications for its second licensing round citing the coronavirus pandemic and the declining oil prices that prompted exploration companies to decrease their investments and hold off their exploration activities.

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BASICS about Oil and Gas in Lebanon
1 . Does Lebanon have Oil and Gas?
2 . How Much?
3 . What has Lebanon done so far?
4 . When are we going to benefit?
5 . Who makes the decisions?
6 . What are our neighbors doing?
7 . What happens when a country becomes oil rich?
8 . How can we prevent corruption in the oil and gas industry?
All individuals involved in this initiative - including co-founders, advisory board members, and experts - are serving in their personal capacity. The analysis and opinions they express through LOGI are their own and do not reflect the view of their respective employers.
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