Lebanese Environment Minister Nasser Yassin. (Photo Dalati and Nohra)
BEIRUT — In a press release issued Monday, caretaker Environment Minister Nasser Yassin called on all interested Lebanese citizens to review the recently-published environmental impact study of exploratory drilling activities in Block 9, off the coast of southern Lebanon.
The report was prepared by RSK Environment, at the request of TotalEnergies, on the various phases of exploration and drilling activities planned in Block 9.
All Lebanese can "consult the study on the environmental impact assessment of exploratory drilling activities in Block 9," said Yassin, adding that there will be two public meetings dedicated to the same topic later this week.
The first meeting will take place on May 31 at the Radisson Blu Verdun Hotel in Beirut, and the second on June 1 at the Rest House in Sour, South Lebanon.
Lebanese citizens can submit their feedback on the report at either of the two meetings or via the online platform.
Lebanon has long delayed the process of exploring its Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) for potentially exploitable hydrocarbon reserves. In 2018, the Total/Eni/Novatek consortium won an initial tender to exploit Blocks 4 and 9.
Exploration of Block 9 was further delayed by negotiations with Israel over the delineation of the maritime border. Meanwhile, Russia's Novatek has withdrawn from the consortium, which is now made up of TotalEnergies, Eni and QatarEnergy.
Public consultation on the environmental study will remain open until June 15, 2023.