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Lebanon was set to conclude the third round of bidding for gas exploration in Blocks 8 and 10 of its exclusive economic zone (EEZ) off its coast on March 17. However, the process has been extended once again, this time until March 31. A key opportunity that could reshape the country’s energy security and drive economic growth.

Lebanon was also expected to advance its offshore energy resources by announcing the results of the third bidding round for gas exploration in Blocks 8 and 10 on March 17. These strategically important blocks are expected to attract major international oil and gas companies. Securing strong bids would bolster investor confidence and mark a key step toward energy independence and economic stability.

However, the deadline for this bidding round, originally set for March 17, has been extended to March 31, 2025. “This extension is due to the law suspending administrative deadlines, ratified by Parliament in December 2024, which froze all administrative deadlines from October 8, 2023, to March 31, 2025,” Wissam Chbat, a board member of the Lebanese Petroleum Administration (LPA), told This is Beirut. He noted that “this third round, launched last February, had already been extended to March 17. It will now remain open until the end of the month.”

Chbat noted that no bids have been submitted so far despite the extension. He did not rule out the possibility of another extension if new companies express interest in exploration, “to avoid closing this phase too quickly and wasting valuable time.” Bidders now have a month to finalize their offers, which must meet strict criteria, including qualifications and compliance with legal regulations. Interested companies are required to have offshore gas production experience and financial assets exceeding $10 billion.

This project could become a cornerstone of Lebanon’s energy future, but it remains to be seen whether new players will step in by the end of this bidding round.

It is worth recalling that the first phase of offshore exploration licensing, launched in 2013 and completed in 2017, offered five blocks (1, 4, 8, 9, and 10). However, political tensions and border disputes delayed the process, resulting in the awarding of only Blocks 4 and 9.

The second phase, which began during the COVID-19 pandemic and was extended multiple times, concluded in October 2023. The consortium led by Total Energies, along with ENI and Qatar Energy, had submitted a bid to explore Blocks 8 and 10, adjacent to Block 9. However, the Lebanese government, dissatisfied with the terms of the offer—particularly the proposed exploration timeline—demanded further negotiations. While a conditional approval was granted in January 2024, differences over key issues ultimately prevented the signing of the agreement, and the contract was cancelled.

Block 9: Total Energies to Submit Report "Soon"

Regarding Block 9, “there is no update so far, but Total Energies has promised to submit the report soon,” revealed Chbat. In fact, the relationship between the Lebanese Ministry of Energy and the French oil giant Total Energies has worsened in recent months.

Chbat explained that “the dispute between the Ministry of Energy and Total Energies centers around the report the company failed to submit at the end of drilling on Block 9.” He emphasized that the report was originally due in April 2024, but it has yet to be provided.