An Israeli offshore natural gas rig. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.

CTech – The Tamar Gas Consortium, responsible for operating Tamar, one of Israel’s largest natural gas fields, began a trial to stream gas from Israel to Egypt on Friday, four people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity told Calcalist. The test marks the final stage before commencing commercial streaming between Israel and Egypt, the people said.

In February 2018, the Tamar consortium banded together with the consortium operating Israel’s largest gas field Leviathan to sign a $15 billion deal with Egyptian company Dolphinus Holdings, which would see Israeli gas fields providing Egypt with 64 billion cubic meters of gas over a 10-year period.

The trial is expected to be completed this week. Should no issues be detected, Tamar will begin commercial streaming to industrial clients in Egypt, the people said.

The major partners in the Tamar Consortium are Israeli energy company Delek Drilling, which owns 22 percent; Tamar Petroleum — in which Delek Drilling owns a 22.6 percent stake under two different entities — which owns 16.75 percent; Texas-based Noble Energy, which owns 25 percent; and Israeli oil and gas company Isramco Negev 2, with 28.75 percent. Dor Gas Search Limited Partnership owns four percent, and Everest Infrastructures Limited Partnership owns 3.5 percent.