Noble launches Israeli production

Ray Tyson

Petroleum News Houston correspondent

Houston-based independent Noble Energy has begun its first natural gas deliveries to Israel Electric Corp., the company said Feb. 23. The gas is being supplied from Noble’s Mari-B field, off Israel’s coast, to Israel Electric for use in its electric power plants throughout the country.

Noble said Israel Electric converted its first steam boiler to natural gas resulting in the sales of about 35 million cubic feet per day. This year the utility plans to convert three more boilers and a turbine to natural gas. That will result in ultimate gross production of 170 million cubic feet, 70 million cubic feet net to Noble under an 11-year take-or-pay contract with Israel Electric to supply 636 billion cubic feet of gas.

Noble is project operator with a 47.059 percent working interest. Avner Oil Exploration Limited Partnerships holds a 23 percent stake. Delek Drilling Limited Partnership holds a 25.5 percent share, followed by Delek Investments and Properties with a 4.441 percent interest. Deliveries to Israel Electric began Feb. 17.