BEIRUT, DOHA - (Xinhua) - Qatar Energy Company announced (Sunday) the acquisition of a 30 percent stake in exploration rights in two offshore blocks off the coast of Lebanon , as part of a consortium that also includes the French companies Total Energies and the Italian Eni. .

The Qatari company said in a statement on its official account on the social networking site (Facebook) that it had signed agreements with the Lebanese government and both ((Total Energy)) and ((Eni)) to become a partner in exploration rights in two offshore areas off the coast of the Republic of Lebanon.

The statement added that according to the agreements signed today in the capital, Beirut, Qatar Energy will acquire a 30 percent stake in Blocks 4 and 9, while Total Energy, the operator, and Eni will acquire a 35 percent stake each.

He explained that this represents the first exploratory activity of Qatar Energy in Lebanon, as Area No. 9 is located at a distance of about 80 kilometers off the southern coast of Lebanon, with a total area of 1,749 square kilometers and in waters about 1,700 meters deep, while the area of Area 4 is about 1,911 square kilometers. It is located in waters about 1500 meters deep.

Lebanese Caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati patronized at the Prime Minister's headquarters the signing ceremony of two amendments to the exploration and production agreements in offshore blocks 4 and 9, in the presence of Lebanese Energy Minister Walid Fayyad, Minister of State for Energy Affairs, CEO of Qatar Energy Saad Al-Kaabi, and CEO of Total. Energies) Patrick Pouyanné and CEO of ((Eni)) Claudio Descalzi.

Mikati said in a speech on the occasion that the Qatari investment in the energy sector constitutes a strategic partnership between Lebanon and Qatar and opens the way for future Arab and Gulf investments in particular for the interest of Lebanon and its Arab brothers.

And he considered that in the event that commercial quantities are discovered, the discoveries will be rapidly developed and the Lebanese market, especially the electricity plants, will be supplied with natural gas, which will contribute to the growth of the local economy.

Mikati added that Lebanon's geographical location will enable it to play a pivotal role, in addition to friendly countries in the region, to supply gas to Europe. It also encourages international companies to participate in the second licensing cycle for offshore blocks offered for bidding.

Lebanon had announced the launch of a second licensing round for oil and gas exploration in its marine waters in 8 offshore blocks, the submission of offers for participation in which ends on June 30, and the Lebanese government divided into 10 blocks the Mediterranean waters that are subject to Lebanese jurisdiction.

In turn, the Lebanese Minister of Energy said in his statement after the signing that he is looking forward to a long-term partnership with the three companies in additional offshore blocks offered for bidding.

He hoped that the discoveries in Lebanon's waters would contribute to helping him achieve his strategic goals by launching the wheel of economic development.

For his part, Qatari Minister Saad Al-Kaabi stressed the importance of the agreement signed today, saying that it "gives us an opportunity to support economic development in Lebanon," stressing that "the State of Qatar is always there to support a better future for Lebanon and its people."

Al-Kaabi stressed that, under the directives of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Doha "is always there to support a better future for Lebanon and its people."

He pointed out that Qatar Energy shares a long history of cooperation with the French Total Energies and the Italian Eni, and that the two companies have a deep understanding of the region and a proven track record in the field of exploration, expressing his aspiration to start work in these promising areas, according to for the statement.

For his part, CEO of Total Energies, Patrick Pouyanné, said that the recent demarcation of Lebanon's southern maritime borders gave new impetus to explore the country's hydrocarbon potential.

He pointed out that the new partnership between ((Total Energy)) and ((Qatar Energy)) expands the scope of international cooperation in the field of exploration and raises the number of countries in which the two companies cooperate to 9 countries.

As for the CEO of ((Eni)) Claudio Descalzi, he hoped that the exploration would result in commercial explorations for the benefit of the Lebanese people.

He pointed out that the signing today comes at a precise time when energy is the basis for relations between countries and at a time when Russian gas supplies to Europe have stopped.

An alliance of French and Italian companies, along with the Russian company (Novetec), had won exploration offers in Blocks 4 and 9 during the first licensing round in Lebanon in 2017, but the Russian company soon withdrew in September last year to leave its stake to the Lebanese government.

It is noteworthy that the rotation of the wheel of gas exploration procedures in the Lebanese maritime patch No. 9 border with Israel comes after the completion of the demarcation of the maritime borders between the two countries last October, after indirect negotiations that lasted for two years, mediated by the United States and the UN, over a dispute over an area in the Mediterranean with an area of 860 kilometers. Square believed to be rich in oil and gas.