Israel has received good news from the energy sector despite the missile fire aimed at its civilians by Gaza terrorists. The Leviathan gas field was found to be even bigger than previously expected.
The estimated size of the natural gas reserve was raised Sunday by 16 percent after an updated analysis by consultant Netherland Sewald & Associates (NSAI) estimated the field to hold 21.93 trillion cubic feet (620 billion cubic meters, or bcm.)
NSAI raised its estimate based on expansion of Leviathan’s database, which included 3D seismic surveys and a laboratory analysis.
Along with Leviathan, the Tamar field holds 303 bcm and began production a year ago. Two other, smaller sites hold an additional 58 bcm.
The Leviathan field is operated by Texas-based Noble Energy, which holds 39.66 percent of the rights to the reserve. Israel’s Avner Oil and Delek Drilling, both subsidiaries of the Delek Group – hold a combined 45.34 percent stake. Ratio Oil holds the remaining 15 percent of the shares.