Lebanon already announced a strategy to revamp the country’s power industry, which is draining state coffers, and curtail widespread blackouts. Its parliament approved a law on Aug. 17 to open offshore areas to oil and natural-gas exploration for the first time.

The ministry is now seeking proposals for onshore scanning services for Lebanon’s oil reserves, Cesar Abou Khalil said in a telephone interview from Beirut. Companies have until Jan. 25 at 2pm, Beirut time, to submit proposals.

The ministry also issued a request for information to companies interested in a project to add storage for refined oil products in the northern city of Tripoli, Khalil said. These proposals should be submitted by Jan. 31 at noon, Beirut time.

“These two calls are in addition to the previous call for proposals for consulting services for the implementation of the energy law,” he said.

Lebanon called earlier for proposals for legal consulting services to help it put the offshore hydrocarbon law into effect and to prepare and promote a first auction of exploration licenses. Consultants have until Dec. 23 at 2pm, Beirut time, to submit their proposals, according to an e-mailed copy of the announcement.

LNG Terminal

A ministry plan to overhaul the energy industry, approved by the government in June, emphasizes the need to explore for offshore gas deposits. Lebanon has announced a plan to have its first liquefied natural gas terminal operating by 2012.

The plan also stressed the importance of increasing power- generating capacity, restoring two refineries that are closed and upgrading the state electricity company, which loses more than $1.5 billion a year.

Blackouts have been a problem for Lebanon since the 15-year civil war that ended in 1990. Average generating capacity plus electricity imports was 1,500 megawatts last year, while demand peaked last summer at 2,450 megawatts, according to a government report.