Gaza Marine is a natural gas field off the coast of the Gaza Strip. The Gaza Marine natural gas field is located in water about 36 kilometres (22 mi) offshore at a depth of 2,000 feet (610 m).[1] The field was discovered in 2000 by BG Group and it is estimated to contain more than 1 trillion cubic feet (28.32 km3) of natural gas.
On 18 June 2023, the Israeli government gave preliminary approval for its development, while requiring security coordination with the Palestinian Authority and Egypt.[2]
In 1999, BG Group was granted an exploration license by the Palestinian National Authority. The field was discovered in 2000. It is estimated that the Gaza Marine field contains upwards of 1 trillion cubic feet of natural gas, more than is needed to power the Palestinian territories, with potential to export.[2][3] Security and economic negotiations have been ongoing with Israel Electric Corporation (IEC) and Egypt exploring options for converting the natural gas into liquefied natural gas.[1] The gas field has been portrayed as potentially beneficial to both Israelis and Palestinians.[3]
On 18 June 2023, the Israeli government gave preliminary approval for its development. [4] Israel and the Palestinian territories are situated in close proximity to several other countries: Lebanon and Syria are to the north, while Cyprus, an island that rests nearby in the Mediterranean Sea, is to the west, just below Turkey (see 2018 Cyprus gas dispute). To the south is Egypt, a major energy supplier to Israel. The gas fields that lie under the Mediterranean do not conform to national borders. Lebanon and Egypt objected to Israel's claims to certain gas fields, and Israel has tightened ties with Cyprus over gas field negotiations. Regionally, the discovery of gas fields has led to increased tension between these closely placed countries.[3]
Maritime law and Israeli occupation of the Palestinian territories also complicates the question of who owns the Gaza Marine gas field. It is legally under the jurisdiction of the Palestinian Authority as a result of the Oslo Accords.