Leviathan partners take FID on third natural gas pipeline

NewMed Energy LP and its partners in Leviathan natural gas field offshore Israel have taken final investment decision (FID) on a third subsea transmission pipeline from Leviathan’s deepwater wells to its production platform about 10 km from shore. The pipeline will allow expansion of the maximum gas supply capacity from Leviathan to Israel Natural Gas Lines Ltd.’s transmission system to 1.4 bcfd from 1.2 bcfd by mid-2025 and cost $568 million.

Project partners earlier this year approved a 2023 budget to advance Phase 1B development of Leviathan. Expansion plans include a 4.6-million tonne/year (6.5-billion cu m) floating LNG plant (OGJ Online, Feb. 21, 2023).

Leviathan produces roughly 12 billion cu m/year (bcmy) for sale to Israel, Egypt, and Jordan. Plans call for adding 9 bcmy, to include shipments to Europe. The field holds estimated in-place gas volumes of 934 bcm (33 tcf) and estimated recoverable reserves of 605 bcm (22 tcf).

NewMed’s (45.34%) partners in Leviathan are Chevron Mediterranean Ltd. (operator, 39.66%) and Ratio Energies LP (15%).