Israel Starts Work on Tamar Field

The first production platform on Israel's offshore Tamar gas field has been inaugurated, with first deliveries expected this April.

The inauguration of the production platform heralds a new era for Israeli energy independence, a top stakeholder said, quoted by Israeli news sources.

Yitzhak Tshuva, a controlling stakeholder in energy consortium Delek Group Ltd., said the inauguration of the Tamar field represents a new phase of regional energy momentum, agencies reported.

"With faith, perseverance, and vision, we have achieved Israeli energy independence," he said. "We are proud of this opportunity that has fallen to us to bring the news to Israel and its people of Israeli gas, which will revolutionize the Israeli economy and every Israeli household."

“Natural gas will not only make electricity production more efficient, cleaner, and cheaper, it is a giant step toward freeing us from dependence on foreign energy sources, especially Arab oil,” said Israeli Infrastructures Minister Uzi Landau.

Around 50 miles (80 kms) off the coast of Haifa in waters more than 5,600 feet deep, the Tamar field is expected to hold over 9.1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas. In 2010, American energy giant, Noble Energy, signed an agreement with the Delek group to develop the field.

See also: Tamar Partners Sign Gas Supply Deal