
Environmental Baseline Survey Report
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TotalEnergies EP Block 9 – Lebanon Branch is planning to drill an exploration well in Block 9 offshore Lebanon in the third quarter of 2023 and have engaged in the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) for its exploration campaign, in accordance with Decree No.8633/2012. The Draft ESIA Report for Offshore Block 9 Exploration Drilling Activities is now available online for public consultation and will be published for public access and comments until 14 June 2023.
As a result of the 1st offshore licensing round that took place in 2017, TotalEnergies has signed two Exploration and Production Agreements (EPAs) for Blocks 4 and 9, with the Lebanese Republic. Both Blocks are located in water depths ranging from 1,400 to 1,800 meters knowing that Block 9 is in the southern part of Lebanese waters, while Block 4 is central.
On 29 January 2023, a ceremony was held at the Grand Sérail in Beirut, announcing that QatarEnergy joined TotalEnergies and Eni in Blocks 9 and 4 offshore Lebanon. Currently the Right Holders in Block 9 are as follows:
TotalEnergies EP Block 9 (TotalEnergies), in its capacity as Operator of Block 9 has launched the preparation to drill an exploration well in Block 9 in 2023. As such, TotalEnergies is currently seeking expressions of interest for potential participation in the upcoming calls for tender covering the following logistics services: Logistics Base Services, Marine Gas Oil Supply, Vessel Support Services, and Helicopter Services
In line with TotalEnergies commitment towards sustainable development, a second Environmental Baseline Survey (EBS) was carried out in Block 9 offshore Lebanon in February 2023, following the initial study concluded in 2019. To know more, watch the movie.
The drilling aimed at evaluating the possible presence of hydrocarbons and was carried by a dynamically positioned drillship, unanchored to the sea bottom. It was completed to a depth of 4,076 meters and through approximately 1,500 meters of water depth. The drilling activity took place 30 km North of Beirut.
An exploration well does not allow the production of hydrocarbons however, it verifies their presence and allows the collection of many essential information such as: pressure, temperature, permeability, composition of the geological layers and nature of the fluid within the rocks. The collected data during this stage will validate or not the presence of hydrocarbons. For more info, watch the video.
Previously several important steps have been performed to prepare the drilling activity in Block 4. To know more, please check the videos below.
To know more about TotalEnergies company Exploration and Production activities in the world, kindly click here.
Interpretation of the seismic studies
February 2019
Environmental Baseline Study
March 2019
Well Design
November 2019
In line with our sustainable development objectives, TotalEnergies EP Liban and its partners, in collaboration with the Lebanese Petroleum Administration, are proud to publish the results of the Environmental Baseline Survey (EBS) conducted in Blocks 4 and 9 Offshore Lebanon.
This survey was launched in 2019, through a campaign for the sampling of water and marine sediments at water depth reaching 1,500 meters.
This study establishes the environmental status of the two Blocks, by describing the marine fauna and flora in terms of biodiversity, by analyzing the water and sediment samples collected, and by observing the birds’ diversity.
This is the first study conducted in Lebanese waters at such great depths.
We hope you will enjoy reading the EBS report and discovering its findings!