Leviathan gas field
Encyclopedia
The Leviathan gas field is a large natural gas field
located in the Mediterranean Sea
off the coast of Israel
, discovered in June 2010. The gas field is located roughly 130 kilometres (80.8 mi) west of Haifa
in waters 1500 metres (4,921.3 ft) deep in the Levantine basin, a rich hydrocarbon area in one of the world’s larger offshore gas finds of the past decade.
At the time of discovery, the Leviathan gas field was the largest find ever discovered in the under-explored area of the Mediterranean Sea
and the largest discovery in the history of Noble Energy
. Noble Energy operates Leviathan with a 39.66% working interest; Isramco Negev 2 holds 28.75%; Delek Drilling holds 22.67%; Avner Oil Exploration holds 22.67%; and Ratio Oil Exploration holds the remaining 15%. The Leviathan gas field is located 47 kilometres (29.2 mi) south-west of another large gas reserve, namely the Tamar gas field
which was discovered in 2009 and also operated by Noble Energy
.
initially argued that the field extends into Lebanese waters. Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri
stated that Israel is “ignoring the fact that according to the maps the deposit extends into Lebanese waters,” Agence France-Presse reported on June 9. Minister of National Infrastructures Uzi Landau
responded “We will not hesitate to use our force and strength to protect not only the rule of law but the international maritime law,” in an interview. Robbie Sable, a professor of international law at Jerusalem’s Hebrew University, has stated that the claim may be complex due to Lebanon's border with Israel being indented, making it harder to establish where Israel’s sea boundary ends and Lebanese waters begin.
In August 2010, Lebanon submitted to the United Nations
its version of where the maritime border should be, a proposal that did not include the Tamar and Leviathan gas prospects.
Natural gas field
Oil and natural gas are produced by the same geological process according fossil fuel suggestion: anaerobic decay of organic matter deep under the Earth's surface. As a consequence, oil and natural gas are often found together...
located in the Mediterranean Sea
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
off the coast of Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, discovered in June 2010. The gas field is located roughly 130 kilometres (80.8 mi) west of Haifa
Haifa
Haifa is the largest city in northern Israel, and the third-largest city in the country, with a population of over 268,000. Another 300,000 people live in towns directly adjacent to the city including the cities of the Krayot, as well as, Tirat Carmel, Daliyat al-Karmel and Nesher...
in waters 1500 metres (4,921.3 ft) deep in the Levantine basin, a rich hydrocarbon area in one of the world’s larger offshore gas finds of the past decade.
History
The first well, Leviathan 1, was first drilled to a depth of 5170 metres (16,961.9 ft) where the deposits contained 16 cubic feet (4.5 m³) of natural gas. The second stage of drilling of the Leviathan 1 well is intended to reach a depth of 7200 metres (23,622 ft) where the estimated natural gas reserve is an additional 9 cubic feet (2.5 m³). Alongside natural gas the Leviathan gas field is believed to possibly contain 4.2 Goilbbl of oil.At the time of discovery, the Leviathan gas field was the largest find ever discovered in the under-explored area of the Mediterranean Sea
Mediterranean Sea
The Mediterranean Sea is a sea connected to the Atlantic Ocean surrounded by the Mediterranean region and almost completely enclosed by land: on the north by Anatolia and Europe, on the south by North Africa, and on the east by the Levant...
and the largest discovery in the history of Noble Energy
Noble Energy
Noble Energy, Inc. of Houston, Texas, United States is the modern name of Noble Affiliates Inc., by which it was known through the 1990s, and it is now an oil and natural gas exploration and production company with almost US$3 billion in revenue at #660 on the 2007 Fortune 1000 list of the largest...
. Noble Energy operates Leviathan with a 39.66% working interest; Isramco Negev 2 holds 28.75%; Delek Drilling holds 22.67%; Avner Oil Exploration holds 22.67%; and Ratio Oil Exploration holds the remaining 15%. The Leviathan gas field is located 47 kilometres (29.2 mi) south-west of another large gas reserve, namely the Tamar gas field
Tamar gas field
The Tamar gas field is a natural gas field in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Israel, discovered in 2009. The gas field is located roughly west of Haifa in waters deep.-History:...
which was discovered in 2009 and also operated by Noble Energy
Noble Energy
Noble Energy, Inc. of Houston, Texas, United States is the modern name of Noble Affiliates Inc., by which it was known through the 1990s, and it is now an oil and natural gas exploration and production company with almost US$3 billion in revenue at #660 on the 2007 Fortune 1000 list of the largest...
.
Rights dispute
LebanonLebanon
Lebanon , officially the Republic of LebanonRepublic of Lebanon is the most common term used by Lebanese government agencies. The term Lebanese Republic, a literal translation of the official Arabic and French names that is not used in today's world. Arabic is the most common language spoken among...
initially argued that the field extends into Lebanese waters. Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri
Nabih Berri
Nabih Berri is the Speaker of the Parliament of Lebanon. He heads the mostly Shi'a Amal Movement.-Biography:He was born in Bo, Sierra Leone to Lebanese parents. He went to school in Tebnine and Ain Ebel in southern Lebanon and later studied at the Makassed and the Ecole de la Sagesse in Beirut...
stated that Israel is “ignoring the fact that according to the maps the deposit extends into Lebanese waters,” Agence France-Presse reported on June 9. Minister of National Infrastructures Uzi Landau
Uzi Landau
Uzi Landau is an Israeli politician, member of the Knesset for Yisrael Beiteinu and Minister of National Infrastructure. Previously a Likud MK, he served as Minister of Internal Security between 2001 and 2003.-Biography:...
responded “We will not hesitate to use our force and strength to protect not only the rule of law but the international maritime law,” in an interview. Robbie Sable, a professor of international law at Jerusalem’s Hebrew University, has stated that the claim may be complex due to Lebanon's border with Israel being indented, making it harder to establish where Israel’s sea boundary ends and Lebanese waters begin.
In August 2010, Lebanon submitted to the United Nations
United Nations
The United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
its version of where the maritime border should be, a proposal that did not include the Tamar and Leviathan gas prospects.