Lebanon signs gas exploration deal with international consortium amid economic crisis

By AP 9 January 2026, 2:31 pm

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In this photo released by the Lebanese Government press office, Lebanese Prime Minister Nawaf Salam, (back right) attends the signing of an international consortium deal for gas exploration in the coast of southern Lebanon, between the Lebanese government and officials from the international consortium consisting of France's Total, Italy's ENI, and state-owned oil and gas company Qatar Energy, in Beirut, Lebanon, January 9, 2026. (Lebanese Government press office via AP)

Lebanon’s government signs a deal with an international consortium to explore gas in an offshore area bordering Israel.

The deal for exploration at the so-called Block 8 off the coast of southern Lebanon comes after Lebanon and Israel signed a 2022 agreement over their maritime border. The new deal is the latest to be granted by Lebanon to international companies to search for gas in its territorial waters.

Cash-strapped Lebanon hopes that future gas discoveries will help the small Mideast nation pull itself out of the worst economic and financial crisis in its modern history.

The deal is signed at the government’s headquarters in downtown Beirut by Energy Minister Joe Saddi from the Lebanese side and officials from the international consortium consisting of France’s TotalEnergies, Italy’s ENI, and state-owned oil and gas company Qatar Energy.

TotalEnergies says in a statement that the consortium plans to start with a 1,200-square-kilometer (463-square-mile) 3D seismic survey to assess the area’s exploration potential.