Israel

Energean has pushed back the expected start of operations at its Karish project, offshore Israel, owing to delays in Singapore, while also approving more Karish North work.

Pipeline infrastructure against a blue sky

Gaza rockets strike Israeli oil tank

12/05/2021

Rockets fired from Gaza hit a tank in Israel on May 11, causing a fire that continues to burn.

E&P

Mubadala eyes Delek’s Tamar stake for $1.1bn

26/04/2021

Delek Drilling has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Abu Dhabi’s Mubadala Petroleum on the sale of a gas field offshore Israel.

Oil & Gas

Energean targets two years to transformation

19/04/2021

Energean is on a path to transformation, with capital expenditure peaking in early 2022 and delivering – hopefully – 200,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2023.

Cairn eyeing Tamar stake offshore Israel

06/04/2021

Cairn Energy has been linked with a potential purchase of a stake in Israel’s offshore Tamar gas field from Delek Drilling.

The Suez Canal has been effectively closed as a 400-metre long container ship ran aground on Tuesday, causing a traffic jam of ships.

Rigs & Vessels

Traffic jammed at Suez as carrier runs aground

24/03/2021

The MT Ever Given container ship has become wedged into the wall of the Suez Canal, blocking the waterway.

Israel has blamed Iran for an illegal oil delivery to Syria that went awry, leading to the dispersion of tar balls along its coast.

Israel blames illegal Iranian oil delivery for beach pollution

04/03/2021

Israel has pointed the finger of blame for pollution of its beaches at Iran, saying an illegal delivery of crude to Syria had gone awry.

Egypt and Israel have discussed tighter emission controls on ships calling at ports in the Mediterranean Sea.

Egypt, Israel eye expansion of EMGF

03/03/2021

Renewables/Energy Transition

Egypt and Israel are working on plans to expand the East Mediterranean Gas Forum (EMGF) into energy security, electricity infrastructure and emissions controls.

Hindenburg Research has fired off a report criticising "ESG darling" Ormat Technologies, alleging corruption.

Ormat under short seller fire over alleged dodgy deals

02/03/2021

Geothermal power plant builder Ormat Technologies has rejected claims of “international corruption” from short seller Hindenburg Research.

Egypt and Israel have held talks on a potential pipeline from the Leviathan field to an LNG facility, and on gas supplies to Palestine.

LNG

Egypt talks Leviathan, Gaza Marine plans

22/02/2021

Israeli and Egyptian ministers have met to talk about a proposed pipeline from the Leviathan field to LNG plants.

Offshore

Israel hunts ships as tar closes beaches

22/02/2021

Israel has warned its citizens against going to the country’s Mediterranean Sea beaches as tar balls wash up on land.

Qatar, EU oversee Israeli gas deal with Gaza

15/02/2021

Israel will sell gas to the Gaza Strip, under a deal involving the European Union and Qatar.

SCA downplays Israel-UAE pipeline competition

04/02/2021

The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has denied that the reopening of the Eilat-Ashkelon pipeline would have an impact on flows through the Egyptian waterway.

Eni has completed the deal to resolve differences at the Damietta LNG plant, in Egypt, with Naturgy now withdrawn.

Geopolitics threaten to derail East Med local development plans

02/02/2021

Despite discussion around East Mediterranean’s gas having a global impact, it is locally that will be the most important, speakers at a recent event said.

Energean takes FID on Karish North, signs new loan

14/01/2021

Energean has taken final investment decision (FID) on its Karish North gas development, offshore Israel.

Pharos Energy has secured a better deal in Egypt at El Fayum, while also cutting costs, and is now seeking a partner for a farm out.

E&P

Pharos cuts better deal in Egypt, seeks farm out

13/01/2021

Pharos Energy intends to farm out its Egyptian assets, with the company hiring Jefferies to handle the process.

E&P

Energean completes Edison E&P deal

17/12/2020

Energean has closed its acquisition of Edison Exploration & Production from Edison for a total of $203 million.

Rigs & Vessels

Energean’s Karish project 85% complete

17/11/2020

Energean expects its Karish gas project in Israel to reach first gas in the fourth quarter of 2021 and the Edison E&P deal to close this December.

Oil & Gas

Assessing energy merger and acquisition opportunities in a time of pandemic

10/11/2020

By Ian Simm

Mergers and acquisitions have been slowed by the COVID-19 outbreak. But as companies embrace the energy transition opportunities will arise

LNG

Weak demand to limit East Med gas

29/10/2020

Poor gas demand may restrain Eastern Mediterranean production until 2023, GlobalData has warned.

The US has imposed sanctions on a number of Iranian interests, including Minister of Petroleum Bijan Zanganeh who has rejected the move.

Middle East

US launches new Iran sanctions as election looms

27/10/2020

The US Department of the Treasury has imposed new financial sanctions on Iran’s oil industry.

Israel and the United Arab Emirates have opened talks over an oil pipeline linking the Red Sea with the Mediterranean, whose operations Israeli officials treat as top secret.