TotalEnergies, in partnership with Eni and QatarEnergy, secured the Block 8 exploration permit in the offshore waters of Lebanon on January 9 2026. The agreement gives the trio the right to conduct a 1,200 km² 3‑D seismic survey and to drill exploratory wells, potentially adding new low‑cost, low‑emission reserves to the company’s upstream portfolio.
The Block 8 award follows a disappointing exploratory well in Block 9, where TotalEnergies, Eni and QatarEnergy found no commercial hydrocarbons. By shifting focus to Block 8, the consortium aims to capitalize on the region’s proven hydrocarbon potential, which has already yielded large gas discoveries for neighboring Israel and Cyprus. The move signals a renewed commitment to the Eastern Mediterranean, a key growth area for TotalEnergies’ exploration strategy.
Under the agreement, TotalEnergies holds a 35 % operator stake, with Eni also holding 35 % and QatarEnergy 30 %. The partnership structure reflects a blend of European and Middle‑Eastern expertise, and the inclusion of QatarEnergy replaces Russia’s Novatek, underscoring evolving geopolitical dynamics in the region.
Lebanon’s economy, which has been mired in a severe fiscal and energy crisis, stands to benefit from any successful discovery. The government’s fourth licensing round, announced by Energy Minister Joe Saddi, aims to attract international investment and reduce the country’s heavy reliance on imported fuels. A new reserve could provide a long‑term source of revenue and help stabilize the national grid.
Patrick Pouyanné, TotalEnergies’ CEO, said the company remains “committed to pursuing exploration activities in Lebanon” and that the Block 8 partnership would be carried out “in close cooperation with Lebanese authorities.” The statement underscores the company’s resilience after the Block 9 setback and its confidence in the region’s prospects.
The permit aligns with TotalEnergies’ broader strategy to build a low‑cost, low‑emission portfolio. Successful drilling in Block 8 could enhance the company’s upstream output and support its transition to a more diversified energy mix, while also providing Lebanon with a potential source of domestic hydrocarbons and economic growth.
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