Hebrew daily “Yediot Ahronot” reports that Russia’s Gazprom wants to build and operate Israel’s $250 million national natural gas pipeline.
Gazprom recently contacted Grant Thornton, one of the world’s five leading accountancy firms in the energy industry, with a proposal to establish a partnership to bid for the project. Gazprom Israel representative Avi Eliyahu met Ministry of National Infrastructures deputy director general for Policy and Planning Eli Ronen and other officials last week.
The cabinet decided that Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) will build the pipeline as far as the Hagit site, and a new government company will publish the tenders for building and operating the rest of the pipeline. Gazprom wants to build the entire project.
The Ministry of National Infrastructures informed Gazprom that that was not possible at this time. Gazprom also proposed negotiating with IEC to be a second gas supplier, in addition to Yam Thetis. Gazprom is one of the world’s largest natural gas suppliers.
Ronen yesterday said he had met with Gazprom representatives. “Gazprom can participate in any future tender that will be published, but we’re committed to the government’s decision on the subject at this time.”
Published by Globes [online] - www.globes.co.il - on June 22, 2003