Shutterstock Save for later Print Download Share LinkedIn Twitter TotalEnergies is set to play a unique role in a US-brokered maritime border deal between Israel and Lebanon that should reduce the threat of conflict in the important East Mediterranean gas play, which Europe has identified as a viable alternative to Russian piped gas. US Energy Envoy Amos Hochstein is due back in the region next week, with hopes rising that a deal will finally be signed. The danger of a miscalculation between Lebanese Shiite militant group Hezbollah and Israel was increasing after Israel’s Karish gas field was targeted earlier this year by Hezbollah drones. Moreover, a deal should unlock regional gas cooperation and potentially more upstream investment. All sides have agreed the text of a new deal as Lebanon seeks to elect a new president and Israel goes to the polls in November. The Israeli security establishment has given its approval, but Israel’s Knesset has yet to agree to the text. Still, a signing ceremony will likely take place soon at the southern Lebanese border town of Ras Naqoura.
