Israel's time to deliver
Israel may at last start to put its plentiful offshore gas discoveries to use, domestically and regionally
Six years after Noble Energy discovered the giant 22-trillion-cubic foot Leviathan gas-field, the project that was to transform Israeli energy prospects has yet to start. The delay has cost the country $26bn in lost revenue, says energy minister Yuval Steinitz. Finding foreign buyers for liquefied natural gas was one problem. But domestic Israeli politics and laws also kiboshed the original export dream. Israel's antitrust regulator challenged the dominance of Noble and its Israeli partner Delek Drilling in the country's energy sector, leading to a dispute with the government that threatened to sink Leviathan altogether. Finally, in June this year a deal was reached under which Noble agreed
Also in this section
23 April 2026
The addition of an oil pipeline to the Power of Siberia 2 gas project could ensure deliveries of Russian oil to China, materially shorten logistics lines between West Siberia and final customers, and—amid disruption in the Strait of Hormuz—offer a land-based export route that reduces exposure to maritime chokepoints
23 April 2026
There is a clear push to bolster exports to Asia amid uncertainty around its North American neighbour, but there are limits to the benefits from the energy crisis
23 April 2026
Shell made the play-opening discovery in Namibia’s Orange basin back in 2022, but its next well could decide whether the project can actually be commercialised
22 April 2026
The failure of OMV Petrom’s keenly watched exploration campaign at Bulgaria’s Han Asparuh block highlights the Black Sea’s uneven track record, despite major successes like Neptun Deep and Sakarya
