Israel seeking interest for second offshore bid round - OIL & GAS JOURNAL

HOUSTON, June/13/2018
Paula Dittrick

Israel plans a second offshore bid round in late 2018 or early 2019, which will involve about 25 southern blocks. Israel’s Chief Geologist Miki Gardosh describes the blocks as being in a highly prospective area that has experienced less exploration than elsewhere offshore.

An initial offshore round was completed in November 2017 resulting in six exploration licenses being awarded. The first-round bidders primarily involved Indian companies. Gardosh said the second-round offering will group 3-4 blocks to make it “more attractive to companies.”

During a trip to Houston June 11, Gardosh said he was soliciting more interest from US oil companies in Israeli offshore blocks. He also visited Calgary.

The second round will offer licenses for up to 7 years with operators required to drill or deciding to drill within 3 years. He said Levant basin models forecast high potential for oil and gas. About 75 tcf of gas has been discovered in the Levant basin in recent years.

Israel's Navy Sub Scandal Widens; Iranian Ties And Deal-Making Questioned - FORBES

The German-made INS Rahav, the fifth Israeli Navy submarine, arrives at the military
port of Haifa on January 12, 2016. In September 2015, Israel received delivery of the
fourth Dolphin 2 class submarines from Germany. A third of the cost was funded by
Germany as part of its military aid to Israel. The submarines, the most sophisticated in
Israel's fleet, can be equipped with missiles armed with nuclear warheads.
(Photo JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images)

DEC 2, 2016 @ 11:05 PM
Tim Daiss

In a convoluted development intersecting the energy sector and Middle Eastern geopolitics, media in Israel is reporting that Israeli Attorney General Avichai Mandelblit has ordered a police probe into allegations that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s personal lawyer, David Shimron, used his close relationship with the Israeli leader to influence him to award a $1 billion contract to build three navy submarines to ThyssenKrupp, a German multinational conglomerate with a 4.5% ownership stake held by the Iranian government.

The subs will be used to protect Israel’s massive offshore natural gas field in the Mediterranean. According to a report on Friday in The Times of Israel, Shimron was a representative of the company in Israel. The inquiry will also focus on a separate 2014 Defense Ministry tender for navy ships, also involving ThyssenKrupp.

Atwood Advantage wins Tamar drill contract - NATURAL GAS EUROPE

By Ya'acov Zalel, August 16th, 2016

The ultra-deepwater drillship Atwood Advantage is due to arrive at the Tamar gas field offshore Israel in a few months' time in order to drill a new well, Tamar 8.

The drillship belongs to Atwood Oceanics and is a relatively new vessel, able to drill in water depth of up to 3,567 m and drilling depth of up to 12,000 m. Its drilling equipment includes a double derrick, a hook load, a blow-out preventer, a marine raiser and mud pumps.

The drillship is expected at Tamar by November and the drilling is expected to last three to four months. The drilling will take place 100 km offshore, west of Haifa. Water depth at the drilling site is 1,670 m and the total drilling depth is planned for 5,050 m below sea level.

Delek Group to drill Tamar-8 well offshore Israel - OIL & GAS JOURNAL

HOUSTON, July 5
07/05/2016
ByTayvis Dunnahoe
OGJ Exploration Editor


Delek Drilling LP and operator Noble Energy Mediterranean Ltd. have announced that the Tamar-8 development well will spud in this year’s fourth quarter with 4 months planned for drilling, completion, and tie back. The well is 100 km west of Haifa offshore Israel in 1,670 m of water. Tamar-8 will target Miocene Tamar sands and is planned for a total depth of 5,050 m.

The partnership looks to increase redundancy in the existing Tamar productions system, and Tamar-8 will serve as part of its Tamar expansion project. The partnership also is planning on development of Tamar SW field.

Israel’s Petroleum Commissioner of the Ministry of National Infrastructures, Energy and Water Resources (Ministry of Energy) approved the current development plan (OGJ Online, June 2, 2016).

Decision Regarding the Drilling of the "Tamar-8" Development and Production Well and the Construction of Related Infrastructures in the Tamar Field - DELEK GROUP

Tel Aviv, July 5, 2016. Delek Group (TASE: DLEKG, US ADR: DGRLY) ("the Company") hereby announces that further to the provisions of Section 1.7.4(d) of the Company's Periodic Report dated December 31, 2015, as published on March 31, 2016 (Reference no.: 2016-01-020628) ("the Periodic Report") about the planned work plan for the Tamar Project located in the area of the Tamar I/12 lease ("Tamar Project" and "Tamar Lease," respectively), the Tamar Project development plan ("the Development Plan") and development of the Tamar South-West reservoir ("Tamar SW"), the Company respectfully announces that Delek Drilling LP and Avner Oil and Gas Exploration LP (hereinafter jointly, "the Partnerships") reported that on June 30, 2016, the Tamar Partners, including the Partnerships, made a decision regarding the drilling of the "Tamar-8" development and production well and the construction of related infrastructures in the Tamar field ("Tamar-8 Well" or "the Well").

Below are additional details of the Well:

Noble, Delek set to begin arbitration on Eran license - GLOBES

30/05/2016, Hedy Cohen

The government is in dispute with the gas exploration companies because the Tamar Southwest field extends into the license.

Delek Group Ltd. (TASE: DLEKG) and Noble Energy Inc. (NYSE: NBL) will begin arbitration proceedings with the Israeli government over the Eran license. The license was expropriated from the energy exploration companies more than two and a half years ago and the issue remains in dispute. The problem is that part of the Tamar Southwest field owned by the companies extends into the license. Noble Energy and Delek agreed to the arbitration more than a month ago and today Minister of National Infrastructures, Energy and Water Resources Yuval Steinitz agreed that the arbitration will be conducted by former Supreme Court President Asher Grunis.