Leviathan Launch Delayed Again
Israel’s Ministry of Environmental Protection has postponed the launch of the Leviathan gas field for the second time in a week over environmental concerns.
The ministry said the night of December 23, the day before the field’s scheduled start-up, that operator Noble Energy had not met all the stringent stipulations which it set to safeguard against emissions hazards. Earlier it pushed the launch back from December 23 to December 24, stating that the Leviathan investors had not given it the required two working days’ notice to commence production.
“Noble Energy must complete the missing items by the next starting date, and obtain approval from the Ministry of Environmental Protection that it meets all conditions for the start plan,” the ministry said announcing the second delay.
“The ministry has not yet approved the sampling and monitoring programme on the rig during the operation's first phase, as it has not so far been aware of the calibration and quality control reports submitted regarding the rig's analysis instruments for testing the blown gas composition,” it continued. “Leviathan rig is now in the operation starting phase. As is the case with new facilities, all systems, including emissions treatment facilities - are gradually coming into operation.”
"The gas from the Leviathan waited a long time to get out of the ground, and this will happen very soon," Noble Energy responded in a statement. “We were very surprised and sorry to hear about the Environmental Protection Ministry's decision. The Ministry of the Environment seeks to further validate the analysis instrument beyond the existing validation and Noble is working to pass this information on to the Ministry. Leviathan partners are excited, ready and prepared for producing natural gas and turning Israel into an energy superpower.”
If Noble and its partner Delek Drilling secure all needed approvals today, it will still take until December 26 for production to begin at Leviathan, given the notice they are required to give the ministry.