US envoy for energy affairs, Amos Hochstein, returns to the region to resume his meetings related to the maritime file on 7th of September, prompted by the continuous support of the US administration, in an effort to give a quick answer to the Lebanese proposal. Media outlets reported that Hochstein met the French company “Total”, which is responsible for gas exploration in Block No. 9 in the Mediterranean. Meanwhile, sources told LBCI that the Total is interested in drilling in Block No. 9 only in the Qana field, which is the disputed area between Lebanon and Israel, they informed LPA because their expectation of discovery is very promising and they are preferring to downsize their risk especially since the experience of drilling in Block No. 4 was not encouraging.
US media notes that although Hochstein made several calls in recent weeks with Israeli and Lebanese negotiators, Israeli officials said that the process of drafting the agreement had not yet begun. A White House official a few days ago expressed optimism, saying, “We continue to narrow the gaps between the two sides and we believe that a permanent settlement is possible,” adding that Hochstein is in daily contact with Israeli and Lebanese officials.
On the other hand, according to information, the American mediator, Amos Hochstein, has already met with the Chairman of the Board of Directors of “Total” in the French capital, Paris, and the company’s obligations in Lebanon were discussed, especially in the disputed region between Lebanon and Israel; This information points out that the last meeting with the company is not the first, as there is a technical team that provided technical assistance to Hochstein previously, to find that he is from the Total team.
The new information also indicated that Hochstein spoke with the American company “Chevron”, which owns the marine survey and the possibility of a joint reservoir between 3 blocks, and notes that the Americans prefer that the task of exploration be undertaken by a Greek company because of its ability to link production to the floating platform in Karish.
On Thursday, Lebanese Al-Akhbar newspaper said that the US mediator couldn’t obtain Total Energies’ full approval to start the gas extraction in Lebanon before a “clear” border deal is reached and also before receiving security guarantees from all concerned parties; they insist on work without any political tension and conflict.
The report added that Hochstein’s plan is to postpone the maritime demarcation deal until after the Israeli elections and the end of President Michel Aoun’s term. “Israel would announce postponing the exploration in Karish and Total Energies would announce its willingness to proceed with the exploration in Lebanon,” the report said.
