Israeli conflict prompts Tamar gas field shut in
Israeli natural gas operations at the offshore Tamar field are now shut-in following instructions from the Israeli ministry of energy, US major Chevron, the field's operator, said May 12.
Conflict between the Palestinian group Hamas and Israeli forces has escalated in recent days, following simmering tensions over the al-Aqsa mosque in Jerusalem, one of Islam’s holiest religious sites.
|
Advertisement: The National Gas Company of Trinidad and Tobago Limited (NGC) NGC’s HSSE strategy is reflective and supportive of the organisational vision to become a leader in the global energy business. |
Chevron said it was focused on the safety of not only its personnel, but the facilities and the communities where it operates. As such, it closed operations offshore in accordance with instructions from the Israeli government.
“We are closely monitoring the situation and focusing on the safe and reliable supply of natural gas for the benefit of the Israeli domestic market and to our regional customers,” the company said.
To address regional supply concerns, Chevron said it would continue deliveries from the nearby Leviathan gas field in the Mediterranean Sea.
Chevron has yet to declare full force majeure on Tamar operations.
The partners in the Tamar project are Delek Drilling (22%), Chevron (25%), Isramco (28.75%), Tamar Petroleum (16.75%), Dor Gas (4%) and Everest (3.5%). Delek is obligated to unload its interest as part of a government effort to open the market up to more competition
Tamar was brought on stream in 2013. Along with Leviathan, the gas fields are among the largest in the Mediterranean.