Governance, Security, and Regional Exclusion: A Multidimensional Analysis of Lebanon’s Offshore Energy Insecurity

Abstract

Lebanon’s offshore energy sector has long been viewed as a potential opportunity to address the country’s chronic energy shortages, reduce reliance on imported fuels, and generate fiscal revenues to support economic stabilization. Located within the Levant Basin, Lebanon’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) is widely considered to hold significant hydrocarbon reserves. These resources, if effectively managed, could provide a pathway to energy security, fiscal stability, and regional integration. Despite this potential, Lebanon remains energy insecure and has been unable to translate offshore resources into tangible economic or energy outcomes. This persistent failure cannot be explained by technical or geological constraints alone. Instead, it reflects deeper challenges related to governance, security, and Lebanon’s regional position. This dissertation examines how these factors interact to sustain Lebanon’s offshore energy insecurity.