Lebanon’s Energy Ministry announced on 19 September that the 20% stakes in offshore Blocks 4 and 9 that Russian LNG focused firm earlier this month relinquished (MEES, 16 September) will be handed over to state-run firm, Lebanon Petroleum Administration (LPA).
The LPA has been handed the stakes in absence of an official National Oil Company (NOC), with the ultimate goal to find a foreign taker for the stakes. Qatar’s state energy firm, QatarEnergy has been mentioned by Lebanese officials as a potential taker, although Doha currently remains silent. QatarEnergy holds 40% stakes in two ExxonMobil (60%) operated blocks in neighboring Cyprus. (CONTINUED - 172 WORDS)