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Plans to build a gas pipeline from Israeli to Turkey

The June decision by the Israeli Cabinet to send to foreign markets 40% of the gas from the fields further narrowed the field of maneuver for "Gazprom"

 

The issue of gas exports from Israeli deposits in the eastern Mediterranean was a new sound. In June, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dedicated external partners of the country in the proportion of the distribution of gas for domestic use and for export. 60% of mined from deposits of "Leviathan" and "Tamar" gas decided to leave for their own needs. Accordingly, 40% guidance to foreign markets. Press service of the Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu's speech gave develop the "right mix", "the right decision for the state of Israel."

 

> Turkey Map

 

Israeli gas looking for. When found, the question of ego exports since found a significant excess (the amount of proven reserves in these fields is estimated to range from 800 to 900 billion cu m.) Adopted a different political and economic nuances. There are plans to release an Israeli gas to foreign markets through the Turkish route. The latter is the most economically viable and potentially viable channel of income to the Turkish energy resource Israeli and possibly European markets.

 

Plans to build a gas pipeline to Turkey for an annual supply of 15 to 16 billion cubic meters came at an interesting stage of relations Tel Aviv and Ankara. Washington launched the reconciliation of the two former military-political partner since the spring of this year, has led to significant bilateral progress. At least in terms of abstinence Turkish storony of anti-Israel rhetoric and reciprocal steps Tel Aviv to eliminate the effects of well-known incident in the eastern Mediterranean three years ago (Israeli special forces raided the ferry «Mavi Marmara»).

 

Pipeline to the Israeli coast on Turkey would be very helpful to the cause of full normalization of relations between the two countries. But statements by Turkish officials have not yet given Israelites reason for premature optimism. Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Minister Taner Yildiz, in April of this year, said that the implementation of energy projects between the two countries will become possible only after the process of normalization of their relations.

 

Economic shade plans export Israeli gas highlights the specificity. By the way, having a direct bearing on the interests of the Russian "Gazprom". In February of this year, the Swiss "daughter" of the Russian Gas Corporation has entered into an agreement with the Israeli partners for the field "Tamar". Domestic media outlets were quick to report on a major success of "Gazprom" after his famous failures around the development of other fields in the Israeli Mediterranean Sea off "Leviathan". The agreement was presented as a contract for an exclusive selection of "Gazprom" liquefied natural gas (LNG) from the field, "Tamar" for 20 years (since 2017, when it begins to operate LNG production plant). Subsequent comments from experts noted the contract represents an opportunity to "Gazprom" to prevent Israeli access to the European gas market. In parallel speculated about the direction of the Russian company of the Israeli perspective on LNG Asia-Pacific market, where the price of liquefied "blue fuel" is higher than in Europe.

 

In March 2013, after clarification of the then Minister of Energy and Water Uzi Landau, the real balance reached a month earlier agreements with uchastiem "Gazprom" has received its distinctiveness. On the interpretation of the Israeli side, the agreements do not give the Russian company the right to export energy resources to the adoption of a separate decision by the government to sell it abroad. In a letter released by the Minister Landau stressed that "Tamar field is only intended to provide gas for the Israeli market."

 

The June decision by the Israeli Cabinet to send to foreign markets 40% of the gas from the fields further narrowed the field of maneuver for "Gazprom". As, however, and for other foreign and Israeli companies involved in the projects of "Leviathan" and "Tamar". Hopes for bulk export quotas were built in the first place, the rate of relatively small market in domestic consumption Israel. Foreign experts cite in this connection the following figures. In the current year the volume of domestic consumption Israel about 7 billion cubic meters. Forecast for the following years is not impressive - up to 13 billion cubic meters. m by 2020. Thus, the hope of developing companies of deposits to maximize profits from exports are currently no incarnation.

 

However, if the Russian gas monopoly, nevertheless set out to distract the Israeli energy resource with the potential of the European direction, then a positive is still present. Another issue is that the Israeli gas will be almost completely focused on the Turkish market, and can make here, "Gazprom" competition. Recently there have been predictions about the possible withdrawal of Turkey in the first place outside of Russia's partners in terms of the bought her gas. Assumptions about the marginalization of Turkey in Germany with its traditional place consumer of Russian gas «№ 1" is not ambiguous. Especially in view of possible developments in the field of energy cooperation between Israel and Turkey.

 

In the matter of the bond between the two countries a pipeline Americans can draw on a wide arsenal of resources influence that they have in regard to Israel, and with respect to Turkey. The main thing is that without these resources for the Israelis and the Turks are obvious advantages of the gas pipeline. It remains to find the data for registration of pluses right time in the general instability of the Middle East process.

 

World media monitoring

 

31.07.2013