Gaza Marine
Gaza Marine is a natural gas field off the coast of the Gaza Strip. The Gaza Marine natural gas field is located in water about 36 kilometres (22 mi) offshore at a depth of 2,000 feet (610 m).[1] The field was discovered in 2000 by BG Group and it is estimated to contain more than 1 trillion cubic feet (28.32 km3) of natural gas.
On 18 June 2023, the Israeli government gave preliminary approval for its development.
History
In 1999, BG Group was granted an exploration license by the Palestinian National Authority. The field was discovered in 2000. It is estimated that the Gaza Marine field contains upwards of 1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, more than is needed to power the Palestinian territories, with potential to export.[2][3]
For many years after discovery, security and economic negotiations delayed its development. Two of the main parties involved in the negotiations are the Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) and Egypt, which seek to convert the natural gas into liquefied natural gas to export.[1] The gas field remains unexploited for political and historical reasons; however, when it was first discovered, media coverage projected it to be a subject that could offer benefits to both Israelis and Palestinians, potentially leading to cooperation and negotiation between both parties.[3]
On 18 June 2023, the Israeli government gave preliminary approval for its development, while requiring security coordination with the Palestinian Authority and Egypt.[2]
Ownership and access disputes
Israel and the Palestinian territories are situated in close proximity to several other countries: Lebanon and Syria are to the north, while Cyprus, an island that rests nearby in the Mediterranean Sea, is to the west, just below Turkey (see 2018 Cyprus gas dispute). To the south is Egypt, a major energy supplier to Israel. The gas fields that lie under the Mediterranean do not conform to national borders. Lebanon and Egypt objected to Israel's claims to certain gas fields, and Israel has tightened ties with Cyprus over gas field negotiations. Regionally, the discovery of gas fields has led to increased tension between these closely placed countries.[3]
Maritime law and Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories also complicates the question of who owns the Gaza Marine gas field. Although it is legally under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority as a result of the Oslo Accords, Israeli forces have prevented Palestinians physical access to the offshore region and its resources.[3]
References
- ^ a b Henderson, Simon (March 2014). "Natural Gas in the Palestinian Authority: The Potential of the Gaza Marine Offshore Field". Journal of Health and Social Behavior. 53 (3): 296.
- ^ a b "Israel gives nod to Gaza Marine gas development, wants security assurances". Reuters. 2023-06-18.
- ^ a b c d Antreasyan, Anaïs (2013). "Gas Finds in the Eastern Mediterranean: Gaza, Israel, and Other Conflicts". Journal of Palestine Studies. 42 (3 Spring 2013): 29–47. doi:10.1525/jps.2013.42.3.29.