U.S. says Hezbollah leader Nasrallah gave his approval to the Lebanese government to proceed with negotiations on a deal that may alleviate the energy crisis in LebanonYaniv Kubovich
Feb. 17, 2022
Security officials believe the road is paved to an American-mediated agreement between Israel and Lebanon ending the conflict over the marine boundary between the two countries. This would settle the division of profits from the gas reserves in the disputed patch of sea.
The security establishment believes the breakthrough was a message passed on by Special U.S. Envoy on Energy Amos Hochstein, according to which Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah gave his approval to the Lebanese government to proceed with negotiations, which are in advanced stages, while stipulating a few conditions acceptable to both parties.
I wonder how Israel would feel if the person the US sent as its envoy for this dispute was someone who was born and raised in Lebanon, had served in the Lebanese army, and held dual Lebanese citizenship?
More at: https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/.premium-officials-see-breakthrough-to-ending-natural-gas-dispute-with-lebanon-1.10616921
Israel to begin exporting gas to Egypt via Jordan
16 Feb, 2022 16:47
Danny Zaken
The new route in addition to the existing Ashkelon-El Arish pipeline will increase gas exports to Egypt by more than 50%.
Israel's Ministry of National Infrastructures, Energy and Water Resources has approved the start of natural gas exports to Egypt via Jordan. This is a new export route that has been approved following the growing demand for Israeli natural gas in Egypt, which will increase gas exports to Egypt by more than 50%.
Israel's offshore natural gas reaches Jordan via a pipeline to the border near Beit Shean and from there to Aqaba and onto Egypt.
Israel currently exports 3 billion cubic meters (BCM) of gas annually to Jordan under an agreement signed in 2016 with the Jordan Electric Power Co. At present 5 BCM of gas annually is also exported from Israel to Egypt via the former EMG pipeline from Ashkelon to El Arish in Sinai and onto Egypt for domestic consumption.
In 2022, Israel is expected to export an additional 2.5-3 BCM to Egypt via this new route and the amount could rise to 4 BCM in subsequent years. The natural gas will begin flowing from Israel to Egypt via Jordan later this month, thus substantially increasing the amount of gas that Israel exports to its neighbors.
The additional gas exports will earn the Israeli government more tax revenues and royalties and generate an extra NIS 100 million annual revenue for the government owned gas transmission network Israel Natural Gas Lines.
The Ministry of National Infrastructures, Energy and Water Resources said that beyond the economic benefits, natural gas exports to the region strengthens geopolitical relations between Israel and neighboring countries, strengthens energy security of the countries in the region and leads to a cleaner economy in the Eastern Mediterranean.
Source: https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-israel-to-begin-exporting-gas-to-egypt-via-jordan-1001402590
