Preparations have begun for the launch of "Total" in Block 9, with the Ministry of Public Works allocating a 34,000 square meter area at the Port of Beirut specifically for the logistical services of oil and gas exploration activities. This decision was made based on "Total’s" insistence on using the Port of Beirut over other ports, particularly southern ones, according to the newspaper "Nidaa Al-Watan."
Indirect pressures are reportedly coming from political and party factions eager to benefit from the oil platforms, which are supposed to be land-based, with the intention of hiring workers and promoting local companies operating under subcontracting agreements with Total. However, the company has avoided these pressures and set up online platforms for companies to present their proposals according to specific criteria, as informed sources stated to the newspaper.
The same sources emphasized that international standards for logistical services indicate that each block requires 50,000 square meters, and with 10 blocks in total, the overall need is for 500,000 square meters.
Furthermore, the Ministry of Public Works has left the door open for leasing lands in the ports of Sidon, Tyre, and Tripoli, as well as along the entire Lebanese coast, considering it is responsible for all public maritime property.
Regarding "Total": What does the Secretary-General of "Hezbollah" mean?
"Total" conducted international communications to understand what Hezbollah's Secretary-General, Hassan Nasrallah, meant when he threatened in a speech on February 17 last that a war might be waged against Israel. Most responses indicated that "this speech, like many of Nasrallah's speeches, is directed solely at internal consumption, and there is nothing to suggest that a war will break out on the Lebanese-Israeli border."
These sources denied claims of delays from "Total," stating, "The company respects its previous public commitment made months ago to begin exploration drilling at the start of the fourth quarter of this year, with some results expected in early 2024; this commitment has not changed at all."
