Israel has extended the deadline of an ongoing bid round launched in December last year for four offshore multi-block zones from 30 June to 16 July (MEES, 16 December 2022). It is not unusual for countries to extend the deadlines of bid rounds, with Lebanon and more recently Egypt pushing back the closing date of ongoing tenders for available acreage (MEES, 25 May).

Israel will be hoping the presence of US major Chevron and the UAE’s Mubadala, and the potential entry of UK major BP and the UAE’s Adnoc into its upstream (see p10), will help convince other IOCs to take the plunge and bid for acreage. Last year’s historic maritime border deal with Lebanon should also go some way in allaying any fears of an Arab embargo for any firms that could consider bidding. (CONTINUED - 182 WORDS)