"Total is pleased to start exploration operations on block 4, which is the first deepwater exploration well in Lebanon," Total's Lebanon chief Ricardo Darre said. Anticipation has been high in Lebanon for exploration to start, with many hoping a major hydrocarbon discovery could help redress the debt-burdened economy.
Energy Minister Raymond Ghajar said on Twitter the ship had anchored in block 4. Total said the drilling would last two months and start at 1.5 kilometres (0.9 miles) below sea level.
"The exploration well aims at exploring targets located more than 2,500 metres below the sea bed," it said. A consortium composed of energy giants Total, Eni and Novatek was awarded two of Lebanon's 10 exploration blocks in 2018 - block 4, and block 9 near the Israeli border. Drilling was initially supposed to start in December for block 4.
No date has yet been set for the exploration of block 9, where drilling has been more controversial as Israel claims it belongs to the Jewish state. Total has in the past said it was aware of a border dispute affecting less than eight percent of block 9 and would drill away from that area. Total spokesman Gael Baudet on Tuesday said Tungsten Explorer would only be digging a well in block 4.