Exploration and gas discovery operations in Lebanon showed shocking results, with the completion of drilling operations in the Qana field near the Israeli border.
The Ministry of Energy in Lebanon resolved the controversy surrounding oil and gas exploration operations in the Qana field, by the coalition led by the British company Total Energy.
The Petroleum Sector Administration Authority affiliated with the Ministry of Energy and Water issued a statement – seen by the Specialized Energy Platform – indicating the completion of drilling the exploratory well in Block 9 in Lebanese marine waters.
The statement confirmed that no hydrocarbon materials were discovered as a result of drilling this well, but the data and samples obtained from inside the well constitute new hope and positive data for the continuation of gas discovery operations in Lebanon in Block 9 and other blocks.
The statement revealing the details of exploration and gas discovery operations in Lebanon came after the completion of drilling activities for the Qana well in Block 9 by Total Energy, as the work of collecting data and samples resulting from the drilling activities ended on the night of last Sunday – Monday.
For his part, Lebanese Energy Minister Walid Fayyad said, during his participation in the meeting of the Public Works, Transport, Energy and Water Committee in the Parliament today, Thursday, October 19: “All indicators about drilling are positive, but gas was not found in commercial quantities compared to previous experiences.”
Objectives of drilling operations
The Petroleum Sector Administration confirmed that choosing the location of the exploratory well in the Qana Basin aimed to answer two pivotal questions for the future of oil and gas exploration operations in Lebanon in territorial waters.
He said: “Drilling operations sought to confirm or deny the existence and quality of reservoirs specific to the Lebanese Sea, in a geological layer in which reservoirs have not yet been discovered in the Levant Basin, and the extent of the similarity and extension of the geological layers in which gas discoveries were recorded in the Sea of Occupied Palestine to their counterparts in the Lebanese Sea.
The Petroleum Sector Administration stressed that it is awaiting the detailed technical report prepared by the French company, which will constitute new hope and positive data for the continuation of exploration operations in Block 9 and other blocks, especially those surrounding Block 9, and will give additional impetus to exploration in the Lebanese Sea.
Gas in Lebanon
The Lebanese Ministry of Energy explained that, through drilling, the targeted layers were penetrated and the presence of a good quality reservoir containing gas was confirmed in the layer specific to Lebanon.
She stressed that the discovery of this reservoir in the Qana Basin requires conducting an extensive study for a deeper understanding that allows drawing a map of this type of reservoirs in the Qana Basin and along Block 9 and the surrounding squares, with the aim of identifying the locations of reservoirs that could contain hydrocarbon materials in commercial quantities.
He pointed out that exploration and gas discovery operations in Lebanon confirmed the extension of the geological layers in which gas discoveries were recorded in the Sea of Occupied Palestine to the Lebanese Sea, and confirmed the presence of very good quality reservoirs, which contained traces of gas at the site where the well was drilled.
The Petroleum Sector Administration said that attention in the coming months will focus on using the data and samples obtained from inside the well to develop a more accurate model of the Qana Basin, with the aim of determining the geographical extent of the reservoirs discovered within it and in the surrounding areas, and raising the success rate of achieving gas discoveries in the future.
Parliamentary debate
The Public Works, Transport, Energy and Water Committee devoted a session today, Thursday, to discussing the work of the “Total” company and the discovery of gas in Lebanon in Block 9, in the presence of the Minister of Energy, the Minister of Works, and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Elias Bou Saab.
The head of the committee, Sajia Attia, said: “If I say that we are in an excellent position, I will be exaggerating… Our assessment will only be at the end of the year, when Total informs us of the technical matters, and this issue is of importance at the national level.”
Energy Minister Walid Fayyad confirmed that the work was completed professionally by Total and in a short period, and the historic achievement is the demarcation of borders and the establishment of a commitment by the companies.
He said: “The required work has been completed, and the positive aspects are that we were able to confirm that in the geological reservoirs under the ground and at depth, there is sand – which is a good indicator – that traps the gas.”
He added: “We have the reconnaissance license that the company assigned us, and we can build on the results, and do not forget the situation we are living in, which is unstable on the borders, and requires stability.”
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2023-10-19 14:02:55
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