A new court decision could stunt exploitation of offshore gas reserves, open the possibility of a heavy punitive arbitration award, and hamper foreign investment in Israel. On March 27, the Israeli High Court passed a judgement condemning a key aspect of the government’s planned “framework” deal with energy companies hoping to tap the country’s largest… Keep reading →
A new Israeli diplomatic office in the UAE is a rare public indication of a broader trend. Last week, the United Arab Emirates gave Israel formal permission to establish a diplomatic office in Abu Dhabi under the auspices of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), a multilateral body with 144 member states. Although officials from… Keep reading →
On stage only a short time after the United Arab Emirates said it would increase its oil production despite low worldwide prices, the oil and gas minister of neighboring Oman offered a different opinion. [US News] Thousands gathered across Israel in protest to speak out against PM Benjamin Netanyahu’s natural gas deal with US energy… Keep reading →
After months of bureaucratic foul-ups, Israel may be close to approving a new regulatory framework to develop its offshore natural gas resources, but another political fumble could have dire economic repercussions. In the coming weeks, Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu will reportedly seek to win support for regulatory changes intended to break a political logjam… Keep reading →
On Monday, October 19, 2015, U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernest J. Moniz and Israeli Minister of National Infrastructures, Energy, and Water Resources Yuval Steinitz launched the 2015 U.S.-Israel Energy Dialogue. The dialogue, held regularly since 2011, includes staff exchanges and discussions in the areas of natural gas development, cybersecurity, energy-water nexus, civil nuclear energy, and research and development… Keep reading →
The major discovery is good news for Egypt but will likely impede Israel’s much-delayed plans to exploit and export its own offshore reserves. In an August 30 press release, Italian energy company Eni announced that it has found a “supergiant” natural gas field off the coast of Egypt. Discovered more than 13,000 feet below the… Keep reading →
Cairo and Washington both see the upcoming dialogue as a means of signaling that political disagreements will not torpedo the core relationship anytime soon. On August 2, Secretary of State John Kerry visited Cairo to begin the U.S.-Egypt Strategic Dialogue. The high-level exchange reflects both countries’ desire to emphasize shared regional interests over the political… Keep reading →
President Anastasiades will likely use this week’s summit to build momentum toward the development of offshore gas reserves, with Iran and other issues making the agenda well. On July 28, Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu will visit Cyprus for discussions concentrating on natural gas, among other key topics such as Iran, counterterrorism, and the Palestinian… Keep reading →
Last-ditch campaign promises and bruising coalition negotiations have led Netanyahu to form a fragile government that may have trouble handling important domestic issues and foreign relationships. The next Israeli government, the fourth led by Binyamin Netanyahu, is slated to be formally established in the coming week. It will consist of 61 members, the barest majority… Keep reading →
The Israeli regulator’s decision to reopen a natural gas agreement because of a monopoly issue jeopardizes the country’s gas export potential and its ability to attract foreign capital, as well as threatening to complicate relations with Jordan, the Palestinian Authority, and Egypt. Yesterday, Israel’s Antitrust Authority announced it was considering whether to cancel an agreement… Keep reading →
