Norway and Lebanon launched an Oil for Development cooperation programme in 2007, and it has now been decided to extend this to 2009. The programme’s purpose is to support Lebanon in the management of the potential petroleum resources on its continental shelf, by assisting with the setting up of relevant institutions and the drafting of legislation, by training key personnel and by helping the authorities to prepare licence negotiations.
There is also an environmental project aimed at cleaning up oil spills from the 2006 war between Israel and Lebanon.
The programme is the first Norwegian-Lebanese cooperation project in the petroleum sector. A Lebanese delegation visited Norway in February 2007, and two seminars were held in Beirut in March and June the same year. At the seminars, Norwegian experts gave lectures on petroleum management and administration for an audience of Lebanese government and business representatives. In addition, Norwegian delegations have made regular visits to Lebanon to provide advice and support the development of the country’s petroleum policy.
The programme will now focus on capacity-building in relation to resource management, assistance with establishing the necessary framework, including the preparation of a petroleum law, and preparations for the first licensing round. Environmental issues and revenue management will be key topics during the next phase, particularly in connection with the development of a petroleum policy and the related petroleum legislation.
The Lebanese petroleum sector is at an early stage of development. No gas or oil has been found thus far, but seismic surveys on the Lebanese continental shelf have indicated that deposits may be found there.
Based on the advice of the Norwegian experts, the Council of Ministers has established an inter-ministerial committee to prepare a report on Lebanon’s petroleum policy. The committee submitted the report to the Council of Ministers for their review and comments in its first upcoming session”
A cross-party delegation from Lebanon attended a two-month training course in Norway on petroleum policy and the management of petroleum resources in 2007. In addition, courses on legislation, data management, independent resource assessment, promotion and licensing round activities, and capacity-building, will be held in both 2008 and 2009.
Norway’s support to Lebanon will total approximately NOK 85 million in 2007. It includes humanitarian assistance, and support for the UN’s activities in the country, the renovation of housing damaged during the war in 2006, the clearing of cluster munitions and environmental initiatives.