Yitzhak Tshuva
Photo: Louise Green
Tshuva mulls exporting natural gas
Owner of group that controls Delek and Tamar-1 drill sites, where large quantities of natural gas were recently discovered, says 'examining possibility of exporting natural gas to other countries'. Delek Energy CEO says plans to be able to meet all of Israel's gas needs by 2012
Yitzhak Tshuva, owner of Delek Group that controls the Dalit natural gas drilling site recently discovered off the coast of Hadera, said Thursday, "We are examining the possibility of exporting natural gas to other countries, and supplying gas to every demanding body in Israel."
The site, and its commercial potential, was discovered in March, just two months after another drilling site, Tamar-1 was discovered off the coast of Haifa, with monumental economic potential.
However, sources close to Tshuva said that for the time being, Delek was not holding specific talks with any country regarding the sale of natural gas.
Countries that are likely to make use of Israeli gas include Georgia, that is currently dependant on a Russian gas supply despite the hostile relations between the two nations, Cyprus that has a similar problem since it is dependant on gas from Turkey, and Italy and Greece.
"The discovery of Israeli gas is a national holiday for all citizens of the State of Israel. After two of our drillings in the same area were successful and turned out to be commercial discoveries, it is probable, and we are hopeful, that the natural gas potential in areas that we have rights over, off the shores of Israel and Cyprus, seems to be monumental.
"The natural gas discoveries that already exist are enough for all the State of Israel's needs for many years, and Israel will be an important player in anything related to the supply of natural gas," Tshuva said.
The Delek owner continued to say, "There is great potential in the State of Israel for homemade energy and we will continue to search for more gas reserves in the eastern Mediterranean Basin…We will prepare immediately to be able to supply natural gas to every body and consumer in every spot in Israel as soon as possible, and everyone will be able to benefit from green, clean and cheaper energy."
Delek Energy CEO Gideon Tadmor added, "We plan to work vigorously to develop the gas sites in a way that will allow us fully supply all of Israel's gas needs starting from the year 2012."
