Pre-Qualification Decree 9882/2013 issued on 21 February 2013 ushers the official opening of the Pre-Qualification Round for oil and gas companies wishing to participate in Lebanon's first offshore licensing round.

The Pre-Qualification process sets high standards for companies applying for pre-qualification status but also permits companies to pool resources for the purpose of pre-qualification.

Deadline & Shortlisting: The Pre-Qualification process is scheduled to close on 28 March 2013, with a 21 day period for the Lebanese Petroleum Administration Authority to examine the Pre-Qualification documents. A list of the Pre-Qualified companies is scheduled to be published by the Lebanese Petroleum Administration Authority on 18 April 2013 (subject to any extension of an additional fifteen (15) days by the Ministry of Energy and Water upon a recommendation of the Lebanese Petroleum Administration Authority).

Criteria: The Pre-Qualification (PQ)

Criteria are defined on the basis of (i) Legal, (ii) Financial, (iii) Technical and (iv) Quality, Health, Safety and Environment (QHSE) requirements and companies may either pre-qualify as an Operator or as a Non-Operator.

PQ Status: Companies are required to elect whether to pre-qualify as either an ‘operator' or a ‘non-operator'.