This article
was first published by Seeking Alpha on June 29, 2015.
By Sarfaraz
A. Khan
Summary: Noble
Energy has been eyeing development of the giant Leviathan field, located in
offshore Israel. Noble Energy, the only U.S. oil producer to invest in Israel,
has faced a major regulatory hurdle, but recent decision from the country’s
security cabinet has cleared its way. The company is now awaiting final
government approval, which will pave the way for binding supply contracts and
full scale development.
Noble Energy has been eyeing development of one of the world's biggest offshore
gas fields off northern Israel by partnering with Israel's Delek Group, but its plans were stalled by anti-trust regulators on concerns
related to monopoly. On Thursday, however, Israel's security cabinet voted in
favor of Noble and Delek.
The leading
U.S. based energy companies have generally shied from investing in Israel,
despite its vast natural gas deposits and the government's efforts to lure
foreign oil and gas producers, fearing the country did not have adequate
regulatory framework to protect the interest of foreign investors. Noble,
however, is an exception. The Houston, Texas - based company is the only U.S.
oil producer willing to bet on Israel's resources, but it did not receive the
warm welcome it would have expected. The stand-off between Noble and the
anti-trust commissioner David Gilo has certainly not helped in improving
Israel's image among U.S. oil and gas producers as an investment destination.
But the recent decision from the security cabinet could help.
Noble and
Delek, however, will be required to reduce their stakes in three …. Read full article at Seeking Alpha.