Energy giant China National Offshore Oil Corp. (CNOOC) is in talks to buy 30-40% of the Aphrodite gas field in Cyprus, sources inform "Globes." Noble Energy owns 70% of the rights of the field, which is in Cyprus's Block 12, and Delek Group Ltd. (TASE: DLEKG) energy exploration units Avner Oil and Gas LP (TASE: AVNR.L) and Delek Drilling Limited Partnership (TASE: DEDR.L) own 15% each.
The Aphrodite field, which borders on Israel's Pelagic licenses, an area north of Leviathan, has an estimated 4.1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, enough to justify developing a Floating Liquid Natural Gas (FLNG), which would allow the Chinese company to export gas to Chinese companies. "Globes" also reported last week that Australian energy exploration company Woodside Petroleum Ltd. (ASX: WPL) is also interested in becoming a partner in the Cypriot field for similar reasons but CNOOC has a better chance of concluding a deal.
CNOOC was also interested in becoming a partner in the Leviathan field and sent representatives to Israel several times for talks. But ultimately the Leviathan partners preferred Woodside and its greater experience in FLNG projects.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on June 19, 2014
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2014
5 Comments
View comments in rows Update by email about comments talkbackPOSTLeviathan
China's CNOOC in Cyprus talks with Delek and Noble EnergyChina National Offshore Oil Corp. is in talks to buy 30-40% of the Aphrodite field.
Delek Group energy units to pay dividendsThis is the first time since 2008 that Avner and Delek Drilling are distributing dividends.
Shmeltzer unit secures NIS 200m for wind farmsAfcon will build two wind farms at Kibbutz Maaleh Hagilboa and Kibbutz Degania.
Residents warn Golan oil drilling will harm KinneretAfek plans to begin drilling ten exploratory wells in August.
Noy to raise continuation fundNoy Infrastucture and Energy Investment Fund will raise up to NIS 1 billion from financial institutions.
Hapoalim buys Delek shares at peakDelek has completed a number of sales to focus on its energy exploration business.
Azrieli signs NIS 450m Sonol sale dealShlomo Shmeltzer has signed an MOU to buy the fuel company.
Woodside in Cyprus talks with Delek and Noble EnergyDespite withdrawing from the Leviathan deal, Woodside is in talks over Block 12.
Energean joins Myra and Sara partnersThe Cyprus-based company is taking a 25% stake in the energy exploration licenses off Israel's coast.
Shlomo Shmeltzer in advanced talks to buy SonolDavid Azrieli is asking NIS 500 million for the fuel company.
Mirilashvili bids in NIS 150m solar energy tenderAzrieli unit Supergas is selling 12 solar energy fields.
Israel 11th in Bloomberg Gas Price RankingIsrael is just below Finland in the ranking, and above Hong Kong and Britain.
Infrastructures Ministry delays Tamar SW approvalThe ministry claims the gas field encroaches a license that was revoked.
Israel's Sunflower in Finnish wind power projectSunflower has bought licenses for building up to five 20-megawatt wind farms.
Abramowitz settles score with Israeli bureaucracyGreen energy entrepreneur Yossi Abramowitz wants to be President.
On the high seas with Tamar's defenders"Globes" goes aboard an Israel Navy patrol boat protecting Israel's gas rigs.
Tamar enters second year of operationsThe Texans on the Tamar production platform get abundant food and no alcohol.
No work for Israel's energy professionalsGraduates must work abroad with no domestic industry being developed.
Tovia Luskin loses messianic lusterShareholders lost faith in the former Givot CEO, who used the Torah to discover oil.
Antitrust Authority disappoints on gas competitionThe only new company that will compete against Tamar and Leviathan will own less than 8% of Israel's proven gas reserves.