Minster of National Infrastructure Eliyahu Suissa has
expressed his opposition to the decision of the Prime
Minister to grant the Palestinian Authority a permit to
conduct gas drilling off the shores of Gaza, especially since
this is an area which, according to international treaties,
is not under the control or possession of the Palestinian
Authority.
Barak's granting of the permit was revealed with the
termination of the production tests at the Meri One drilling
site opposite the Ashkelon beach. This is the largest natural
gas discovery ever made in Israel, and the gas reserves found
there are estimated at 45 billion cubic meters. This amount
of gas can meet Israel's needs for 15 years, according to
current estimates.
During the debate about a proposed Gas Law, Suissa discussed
to the permit Barak gave the Palestinian Authority, and said
that he had done so against Suissa's recommendation and
against the recommendations of those authorized to decide on
the issue. He noted that even though according to the Treaty
about International Waters the sea shelf adjoining a state
belong to it, the Palestinian Authority is not defined as a
state and therefore does not enjoy this right.
Suissa demanded that the Palestinians be prevented from
signing a concession with the British Gas Company in order to
conduct drilling off the Gaza shores, but be required to act
only in conjunction with Israel. Arafat has already received
40 million dollars from British Gas for the concession. This
drilling is supposed to take place 20 kilometers outside of
Israel's territorial waters but an area that is still within
Israeli security control.
According to the energy experts, any gas found by British Gas
will have to be marketed to Israel. The gas can be delivered
economically only if pipelines are laid directly from the
well to the customers. Since the Palestinian market for gas
is very small in relation to what can be produced, the only
market in range that can absorb such amounts is the Israeli
market.
As a result it is difficult to understand the what made Barak
act in such a way as not to ensure efficient cooperation
between Israel and the Palestinian Authority. They also noted
that the British Gas company will in this case be a gas
importer and not a local gas manufacturer, and thus the
supply of gas to Israel is contingent on the approval of the
Infrastructure Minster and the other authorized bodies and
not just the prime minister.
Dr. David Cohen the general director for the Avner Oil and
Gas Company, which is leading the drilling off the Ashkelon
beach told Yated that he is upset about the decision,
and that he agrees with Minister Suissa. However, he noted
that he is not actively involved in the issue.
