TotalEnergies and EDF resume
talks with Ministry of Energy

License to survey Block 8 granted to Norwegian-US company

The Minister of Energy and Water (MoEW) Joe Saddi held several meetings in Paris last week to revive collaboration with French energy companies.

Saddi with Patrick Pouyanné, Chairman of TotalEnergies, to discuss the company’s gas exploration efforts in Lebanon.

The minister held another meeting with Béatrice Buffon, Group Senior Executive Vice-President in charge of the International Division at Électricité de France (EDF). She is also the Chairperson of EDF Renewables. The discussions centered on Lebanon’s electricity sector and ways the country could benefit from French expertise and capabilities in renewable energy and power management.

In December 2024, MoEW granted a non-exclusive reconnaissance license to TGS, a Norwegian-American energy data and services provider, to conduct a three-dimensional seismic survey over approximately 1,300 square kilometers in offshore Block 8 (South). This block had not been previously surveyed due to its proximity to the Israeli maritime border, with demarcation only finalized in 2022. TGS committed to financing 50 percent of the survey costs and will also assist in marketing the data to attract potential investors.