Gas exploration companies' representatives continue to make the trip to the office of Minister of Finance Yuval Steinitz. He met today Noble Energy Inc. (NYSE: NBL) chairman and CEO Charles Davidson, after meeting Delek Group Ltd. (TASE: DLEKG) controlling shareholder Yitzhak Tshuva and representatives of Isramco Ltd. (Nasdaq: ISRL; TASE: ISRA.L) controlling shareholder Jackob Maimon last week.
"The meeting between the Finance Minister and Davidson was held in accordance with the Steinitz's promise to hear the representatives of the energy companies after the publication of the final report of the Sheshinski committee to review fiscal policy in the oil and gas industry, headed by Prof. Eytan Sheshinski," said the Ministry of Finance in a statement.
Noble Energy owns 36% of Tamar and 39.66% of the Leviathan licenses.
The Ministry of Finance added, "The meeting was held in a good atmosphere. Steinitz thanked Davidson for Noble Energy's investment and operations in developing Israel's energy market. The Finance Minister also thanked the company for cooperating with the staff of the Sheshinksi committee."
Beneath the Ministry of Finance's warms words of praise is a real battle as the gas exploration companies continue to apply massive pressure on Steinitz and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to accept the Sheshinski committee recommendations. Yesterday, "Globes" reported comments by a senior advisor in the Bush administration, who said that Noble Energy would ask Congress to pressure the Israeli government.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on January 10, 2011
© Copyright of Globes Publisher Itonut (1983) Ltd. 2011