"We are located in a unquiet region, and we're on the verge of establishing the production platform for the Tamar gas field. We are so far on track, and we're providing assurances to the international companies involved in the work. When the government authorities look at the window of opportunity, they should realize that there is an extraordinary opportunity to develop the current discoveries, but this is not a static window. Against the opportunities that we offer foreign investors, other locations without security problems tempt foreign investors. We must give foreign investors a sense of stability, and this is primarily the government's responsibility," said Avner Oil and Gas LP (TASE: AVNR.L) CEO and Delek Drilling LP (TASE: DEDR.L) chairman Gideon Tadmor at the Bizportal energy conference in Tel Aviv today.
Israel Land Development Company Energy Ltd. (TASE: IE) CEO Ohad Marani said, "Foreign companies are in no rush to come here, because of the security situation, and this makes things more difficult for us and for the industry."
"The Sheshinski and Tzemach committees are part of the natural development of the gas industry," Tadmor said. The key issues have been handled by the government, but the Tzemach Committee process has to be completed. If the Tzemach Committee recommendations are not approved, we cannot move forward on developing Leviathan, and then we'll be in a crisis. The moment there is certainty and an export horizon, it will be possible to move forward on Leviathan's development."
Asked about last week's declaration by Antitrust Authority director general David Gilo that the Tamar gas field was a monopoly, Tadmor said that the announcement was only declarative, and that it should not affect the companies' activity in Tamar and Leviathan.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on November 19, 2012
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