French major TotalEnergies will drill the highly anticipated Qana Prospect in Lebanon’s offshore Block 9 in Q4 this year, according to the Lebanese Petroleum Administration (LPA).

“Completion of the Environmental Baseline Survey over the exploration well area in Block 9 planned to spud in Q4-2023,” The LPA’s Wissam Chbat says in a post on LinkedIn. Total previously estimated the well would be spud in Q3 this year (MEES, 3 February). Total has fast-tracked drilling Qana, which extends into Israeli waters following the historic maritime border deal agreed between Lebanon and its southern neighbor, late last year, that would see the French major pay royalties to Israel if gas is discovered (MEES, 14 October 2022). (CONTINUED - 215 WORDS)