Beirut, April 27th, 2020 –Total E&P Liban SAL, the operator of the international JV (Total 40%, ENI 40%, Novatek 20%) in charge of the Block 4, has completed the drilling of Byblos well 16/1 on Block 4 to a depth of 4,076 m on April 26th, 2020. The well is located 30 kilometers offshore Beirut and was drilled in a water depth of approximatively 1,500 meters.
The well penetrated the entire Oligo-Miocene target section. The well did evidence traces of gas that confirms the presence of a hydrocarbon system, but it did not encounter any reservoirs of the Tamar formation, which was the target of this exploration well. Based on the data acquired during drilling, studies will be conducted to understand the results and further evaluate the exploration potential of the Total operated JV blocks and for offshore Lebanon.
“We are satisfied to have drilled the first ever exploration well in the Lebanese offshore domain, according to the initial program. We thank the Ministry of Energy and Water and the Lebanese Petroleum Administration for their invaluable support notably to overcome the challenge resulting from the Covid-19 crisis. Despite of the negative result, this well has provided valuable data and learnings that will be integrated into our evaluation of the area,” said Ricardo Darré, Managing Director of Total E&P Liban.
About Total E&P Liban:
Under the first Exploration and Production licensing round, two deep-water blocks were awarded to a consortium led by Total, with ENI and Novatek as partners. The consortium is fully engaged in carrying out the first offshore exploration campaign in Lebanon. http://www.total-liban.com/en/who-we-are/total-lebanon/exploration-and-production.html
About Total
Total is a major energy player that produces and markets fuels, natural gas and low-carbon electricity. Our 100,000 employees are committed to better energy that is safer, more affordable, cleaner and accessible to as many people as possible. Active in more than 130 countries, our ambition is to become the responsible energy major.