Offshore staff

TEL AVIV, Israel – Delek Drilling and Avner Oil Exploration have commented on technical problems at Israel’s sole current offshore gas production complex.

Both companies are partners in the shallow water Yam Tethys project, operated by Noble Energy Mediterranean. Recently, they say, supplies have been affected by a decline in the “Mary B” reservoir and the situation will likely deteriorate further.

The partners are examining the “techno-economic consequences” and also the methods of operation at their disposal to stem the decline and moderate its consequences - while maintaining the integrity of the Yam Tethys production system.

One option is to bring forward development of the offshore Noa North reservoir. The partners are also examining the technical, operative, and economic feasibility of drilling and developing the small “satellite” reserves in the Ashkelon lease that have not yet been drilled and which are likely to contain natural gas.

Commercial gas production from Israel’s deepwater Tamar Project, involving the same partners, will not start until the first half of 2013.

01/25/2012