Leviathan gas field resumes operations

Israel’s Leviathan offshore pure fuel discipline has resumes operations after 32 days of inactivity because the outbreak of the warfare. The nation’s largest discipline is once more producing fuel for the advantage of the home economic system and exports to Egypt and Jordan. The Tamar fuel discipline is the one offshore rig that has been working to this point throughout the warfare, and within the earlier warfare with Iran there was a dramatic improve in using coal and diesel for electrical energy manufacturing in contrast with routine occasions. Energian’s Karish reservoir has not but resumed operations.

The Ministry of Power and Infrastructure mentioned, “Following assessments of the state of affairs and examination of all related issues, it has been determined at this stage to renew operations for the Leviathan rig. The provision of pure fuel to the home economic system continues and can now be elevated following the mixing of one other platform into the manufacturing system.”

On Saturday, February 28, when the present marketing campaign in opposition to Iran broke out, the Leviathan and Karish reservoirs had been shut down to cut back the chance of being hit. Then again, in fact, counting on just one fuel reservoir additionally barely will increase dangers.

Within the earlier marketing campaign in opposition to Iran final June, the Tamar reservoir serviced Leviathan’s prospects as a lot as attainable, and the coal-based energy vegetation elevated exercise past regular. Throughout peak demand occasions, Israel’s emergency gas (diesel) was additionally activated to offer the ability vegetation with the power to proceed working. Again then, the warfare lasted solely 12 days. At this time, the warfare has continued for greater than double that, which has elevated strain from the economic system to reopen the reservoir.

One other consideration in favor of reopening the Leviathan discipline is the vitality scarcity in Egypt and Jordan, which rely considerably on Israeli fuel, particularly due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which prevents fuel exports from Qatar. Vital blackouts have occurred in Jordan and Egypt in current weeks to save lots of vitality following disruption in fuel provides from Israel. A mix of strain from these international locations, and the have to be a comparatively dependable provider even in troubled safety occasions, might have tipped the scales in favor of reopening Leviathan at this stage.

This strain has not been positioned on Energean, which operates the Karish and Tanin offshore reservoirs within the north of the nation. However one other consideration, apparently, is the truth that the Karish platform shouldn’t be very removed from the Lebanese coast, in a area during which Hezbollah is energetic. An assault on the fuel reservoirs is a state of affairs that in all probability worries the Ministry of Protection and Israel Navy, which is chargeable for defending Israel’s fuel fields..

BDO chief economist Chen Herzog, advisor to the Pure Fuel Affiliation, estimates that the closure has value Israel NIS 1.5 billion within the final month in electrical energy manufacturing prices, decrease fuel royalties and a lower in pure fuel firm belongings. Of this, NIS 1 billion comes from the Leviathan discipline and NIS 500 million from the Karish discipline.

Energean, the operator of the Karish platform, which stays closed, mentioned, “Energean welcomes the resumption of operations on the Leviathan platform, and the indication that threat assessments now assist elevated offshore manufacturing. The corporate stays in shut engagement with the Ministry of Power and safety authorities relating to the standing of Karish.

“Whereas operational choices are formed by asset particular safety considerarions, Karish stays a important element of Israel’s vitality system, supplying a major share of home demand. Energean expects that, as circumstances allow, actions will likely be taken quickly to allow the immediate and secure return of Karish to manufacturing.”

Printed by Globes, Israel enterprise information – en.globes.co.il – on April 3, 2026.

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