The Daily Star: Lebanon kicks off first onshore oil survey

The British foreign secretary joined Lebanon’s energy minister to launch the country’s first onshore seismic survey of potential hydrocarbon reserves Thursday, bringing the hunt for oil and gas inland for the first time in nearly 50 years.

Britain-based Spectrum was awarded the contract to collect 500 kilometers of 2-D seismic data last year after completing 2-D and 3-D seismic surveys of Lebanon’s offshore reserves and expects to begin work in portions of the northeast, the Bekaa Valley and in areas of the south surrounding Marjayoun within a few months.

Though Foreign Secretary William Hague acknowledged that there were complex issues to resolve concerning Lebanon’s disputed maritime border with Israel, he said this should not dissuade British companies from bidding on oil and gas contracts in the country.  MORE