'Tamar gas may be available before April 2013'
Noble Energy CEO tells PM Netnayahu that he would make every effort to meet and even beat April 2013 target date for Tamar gad field production
The Energy Ministry is claiming that Noble Energy has not supplied the ministry with essential data pertaining to the production of natural gas in Israel.
In a meeting held on Monday between Energy Minster Uzi Landau and Noble Energy CEO Charles Davidson who is currently visiting Israel, ministry officials laid out a list of claims regarding the company's recent actions.
Davidson and Noble Energy Director of Eastern Mediterranean Operations, Lawson Freeman also met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at his office. Office Director-General Harel Locker and National Economic Council Chairman Professor Eugene Kandel also attended the meeting.
Prime Minister Netanyahu said that he sees a vital need in the rapid planning and construction of an additional natural gas terminal in Israel, "which is essential for the energy security of the State of Israel and the stability of the major companies operating in the region."
During the meeting the company representatives sought to examine decisions regarding the gas export restrictions and claimed that the potential gas finds in the region are much larger than what the Tzemah Committee claimed. The committee recommended allowing the export of up to 50% of gas of large reserves.
The company also had reservations over the recommendation stating that all gas exports must go through Israel as it restricts the company's plans to establish a regional Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) installation in Cyprus instead of in Israel.
Davidson discussed the company's various projects in the region, including the "Tamar" field and said that company would make every effort to meet – and perhaps even beat – the April 2013 target date for the start of gas production from "Tamar".
He also informed the Prime Minister that over the course of the coming summer they will be able to supply an additional quantity of natural gas for the Israeli market within the framework of the development of the "Noa" field and the smaller fields around the "Yam Tethys" field.
Gad Lior contributed to the report
