Israel has denied a Lebanese allegation it is encroaching on a disputed Mediterranean natural gas field, playing down on June 6 any prospect of conflict over the dispute.
After months of deadlock in U.S.-mediated talks on maritime delineation, Beirut on June 5 warned against any activity in the disputed area, responding to the arrival of a vessel operated by London-based Energean to produce gas for Israel.
Israel says the field in question is within its exclusive economic zone, not in disputed waters.
“This [Lebanese account] is very far from reality,” Israeli Energy Minister Karin Elharrar told Tel Aviv radio 103 FM, adding that there was “unequivocally no” encroachment by Israel.
Lebanon is home to the heavily armed, Iran-backed Hezbollah group, which has fought numerous wars with Israel.
Hezbollah has previously warned Israel against drilling in the disputed area until the issue is resolved, and said the group would take action if it did so.
Asked about the prospect of escalation, Elharrar said: “We are not there at all. Really, such is the disconnect [between rhetoric and reality] that I do not believe they would take action.”
But she added: “Israel is making preparations [and] I recommend that no one try to surprise Israel.”
There was no immediate comment from the U.S., which in 2000 began mediating indirect talks between the two sides to settle a long-running dispute that has obstructed energy exploration in the eastern Mediterranean.
Energean said its floating production storage and offloading vessel arrived on June 5 at the Karish field, about 80 km (50 miles) west of the city of Haifa, in Israel’s exclusive economic zone.
The company said it planned to bring it online in the third quarter.
Lebanon says its border cuts into the sea at an angle farther south and Israel’s claim runs farther north, creating a triangle of disputed waters.
Last year, Beirut expanded its claim by around 1,400 sq km (540 sq miles), enlarging the area disputed with Israel.
Lebanon has yet to respond to an undisclosed proposal a U.S. envoy made early this year to revive the stalled talks. Elharrar voiced hope Beirut would come back to the table.
“Ultimately, there are gains to be made from negotiating, and they can get a gas field of their own,” she said.
Recommended Reading
Chevron, Total’s Anchor Up and (Almost) Running
2024-05-07 - During the Offshore Technology Conference 2024, project managers for Chevron’s Anchor Deepwater Project discussed the progress the project has made on its journey to reach first oil by mid-2024.
MOGAS Wins Multimillion Contract for Aramco-backed S-Oil
2024-07-02 - MOGAS said the contract is part of S-Oil backer Aramco's largest investment in South Korea.
E&P Highlights: June 24, 2024
2024-06-24 - Here’s a roundup of the latest E&P headlines, including TotalEnergies working with Nigeria to reach FID on the Ubeta gas field and Chevron signing production sharing contracts for two blocks offshore Equatorial Guinea.
Exxon Mobil Keeps Its Options Open in Guyana and Globally
2024-05-23 - Exxon Mobil Guyana Ltd.’s President Alistair Routledge said the company is seeking resources offshore Guyana that compete financially within its portfolio.
Blankenship, Regens: More Demand, More M&A, More Regs
2024-05-23 - In 2024, the oil and gas industry is dealing with higher interest rates, armed conflicts in Europe and the Middle East, rising material costs, a decrease in Tier 1 acreage and new policies and laws.